Methods for treating neural cell swelling

ABSTRACT

A composition comprising a novel Ca 2+ -activated, [ATP] i -sensitive nonspecific cation (NC Ca-ATP ) channel is described. The channel is found in mammalian neural cells and exhibits a different sensitivity to block by various adenine nucleotides, and is activated by submicromolar [Ca] i . The NC Ca-ATP  channel is activated under conditions of ATP depletion, which causes severe cell depolarization, followed by cell swelling. The NC Ca-ATP  channel is regulated by a sulfonylurea receptor and is inhibited by sulfonylurea compounds glibenclamide and tolbutamide. Methods employing compositions comprising the NC Ca-ATP  channel to screen for compounds that block the channel and the use of such antagonists as therapeutics in preventing brain swelling and damage are described. In addition, methods employing compositions comprising the Kir2.3 channel to screen for compounds that open the channel and the use of such antagonists as therapeutics in preventing brain swelling and damage are described.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/099,322, filed on Apr. 5, 2005, which is a Divisional of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/391,561, filed on Mar. 20, 2003, which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/365,933, filed onMar. 20, 2002, all of which applications are incorporated by referenceherein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a novel ion channel found in neuralcells which participates in the cation flux involved in cell swelling.The invention also provides a method of screening for compounds thatinhibit the activity of the ion channel. Methods to screen for andidentify antagonists of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel are provided. Theinvention further provides therapeutic methods for using compounds andcompositions that inhibit the ion channel activity to inhibit or preventthe swelling of neural cells in brain. It has been discovered thatneural cell swelling is mediated by the opening of a novel non-selectivemonovalent cationic ATP sensitive channel (the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel) andthat this channel is coupled to sulfonylurea receptor type 1. Moreover,it has been found that neural cell swelling and cell death, particularlyastrocyte swelling, can be inhibited by blocking the NC_(Ca-ATP) channelof the present invention, particularly by antagonizing receptors coupledto this channel, such as antagonizing the SUR1. The invention alsoencompasses the use of such compounds and compositions, that modulateNC_(Ca-ATP) channel activity to treat brain swelling. The presentinvention relates to methods for the treatment of brain swelling thatresults from brain trauma or cerebral ischemia, due to neural cellswelling and cell death.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Following traumatic brain injury and stroke, the normal response of thesurrounding brain is to mount a cellular response that includesformation of reactive astrocytes that are believed to be important to“contain” and “clean-up” the injury site. Swelling of neural cells ispart of the cytotoxic or cell swelling response that characterizes braindamage in cerebral ischemia and traumatic brain injury, and is a majorcause of morbidity and mortality. See, Staub et al., 1993; Kimelberg etal., 1995. A number of mediators have been identified that initiateswelling of neural cells, including elevation of extracellular K⁺,acidosis, release of neurotransmitters and free fatty acids. See,Kempski et al., 1991; Rutledge and Kimelberg, 1996; Mongin et al., 1999.Cytotoxic edema is a well-recognized phenomenon clinically that causesbrain swelling, which worsens outcome and increases morbidity andmortality in brain injury and stroke.

Mechanisms underlying apoptotic death of reactive astrocytes have beenstudied. See, Tanaka et al., 2000; Yu et al., 2001. The mechanismsresponsible for necrotic cell death have not been characterized.Apoptotic cell death is preceded by cell shrinkage and net loss of K.See, Yu et al., 1997; Yu et al., 1999. By contrast, in necrotic celldeath, the plasma membrane is ruptured, causing cytosolic contents to bereleased and thereby triggering tissue inflammation. See, Leist andNicotera, 1997. Necrotic cell death may be more deleterious to nearbyviable tissues, given the secondary inflammatory damage that isinitiated.

Necrotic cell death is initiated by osmotic swelling following influx ofNa⁺, the major extracellular osmolyte. In most cell types, accumulationof Na⁺ intracellularly is regarded as a passive process that does notrequire activation of specific effectors but that is due instead todefective outward Na′ pumping under conditions of low [ATP]i. See, Leistand Nicotera, 1997; Trump et al., 1997. Cell blebbing or swelling, anindication of intracellular Na′ overload, is generally regarded as anearly sign of necrotic cell death. See, Leist and Nicotera, 1997; Majnoand Joris, 1995.

Inhibition of ATP synthesis or ATP depletion also causes neural cellswelling, blebbing and, if sufficiently severe, plasma membranedisruption and cell death. See, Jurkowitz-Alexander et al., 1993. Themechanisms of neural cell swelling associated with ATP-depletionremained incompletely characterized. See, Lomneth and Gruenstein, 1989;Juurlink et al., 1992; Rose et al., 1998.

One potential mechanism would be changes in Na⁺ and K⁺ concentration dueto inhibition of the Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase pump. However, an equivalent degreeof osmotic swelling induced by ouabain-mediated inhibition of theNa⁺/K⁺-ATPase pump in neural cells does not produce largedepolarization, blebbing or cell death. See, Jurkowitz-Alexander et al.,1992; Brismar and Collins, 1993. Failure of the Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase pump,therefore, is not the mechanism critical to swelling of neural cells.None of these studies have identified the cellular mechanisminstrumental in the cell swelling that is associated with brain damagein cerebral ischemia and traumatic brain injury.

One subtype of ATP sensitive cation channel is the non-selective cationchannel, which are channels that are sensitive to Ca2⁺ and ATP. Morespecifically, non-selective cation channels are activated byintracellular Ca2⁺ ([Ca2⁺]_(I) and inhibited by intracellular ATP([ATP]_(i)). Although Ca2⁺ and ATP sensitive cation channels had beenidentified in a number of non-neural cell types, they have not beenidentified in astrocytes or any other neural cells. See, Sturgess etal., 1987; Gray and Argent, 1990; Rae et al., 1990; Champigny et al.,1991; Popp and Gogelein, 1992; Ono et al., 1994, each of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety. These non-astrocyte channelscomprise a heterogeneous group with incompletely definedcharacteristics. They exhibit single-channel conductances in the rangeof 25-35 pS, discriminate poorly between Na⁺ and K⁺, are impermeable toanions, for the most part impermeable divalent cations, and they areblocked by similar concentrations of the adenine nucleotides ATP, ADPand AMP on the cytoplasmic side. The function of these non-selective ATPsensitive cation channels in these non-neural cell types remainsenigmatic, in part because unphysiological concentrations of Ca2⁺ aregenerally required for channel activation.

Another subtype of ATP sensitive cation channel is the ATP-sensitivepotassium channel (KAP channels) in pancreatic β cells. One class ofinsulin secretagogues, the antidiabetic sulfonylureas, are used toinhibit these K_(ATP) channels and stimulate insulin release in diabetesmellitus. See, Lebovitz, 1985. Antidiabetic sulfonylureas mediate theireffect on K_(ATP) channels via a high affinity sulfonylurea receptor(SUR). See, Panten et. al., 1989; Aguilar-Bryan et. al., 1995. Severalisoforms of the SUR, termed SUR1, SUWA, S W B, and SUR2c, have beenidentified and cloned. See, Aguilar-Bryan et. al., 1995; Inagaki et.al., 1996; Isomoto et. al., 1996; Lawson, 2000. These receptors belongto the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter family, of which thecystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), another ionchannel modulator, is also a member. See, Higgins, 1992; Aguilar-Bryanet. al., 1995. Notably, the CFTR has major therapeutic importance, sinceits genetic absence causes cystic fibrosis, a fatal disease.

The sulfonylurea receptor imparts sensitivity to antidiabeticsulfonylureas such as glibenclamide and tolbutamide. Also, SUR isresponsible for activation of the potassium channel by a chemicallydiverse group of agents termed K⁺ channel openers (SUR-activators), suchas diazoxide, pinacidil, and cromakalin. See, Aguilar-Bryan et. al.,1995; Inagaki et. al., 1996; Isomoto et. al., 1996; Nichols et. al.,1996; Shyng et. al., 1997b. In various tissues, molecularly distinctSURs are coupled to distinct channel moieties to form different K_(ATP)channels with distinguishable physiological and pharmacologicalcharacteristics. The K_(ATP) channel in pancreatic β cells is formedfrom SUR1 linked with a K+ channel, whereas the cardiac and smoothmuscle K_(ATP) channels are formed from SUR2A and SUR2B, respectively,linked to K+ channels. See, Fujita ad Kurachi, 2000.

Thus, a need exists for a physiological target instrumental in the cellswelling that is associated with brain damage in cerebral ischemia andtraumatic brain injury and in the consequent morbidity and mortality.There is also a need for specific treatments for the cytotoxic edemathat causes brain swelling, which worsens outcome and increasesmorbidity and mortality in brain injury and stroke. Also there exists aneed for therapeutic compounds capable of modulating the activity ofthis target in order to prevent brain damage. The present invention isdirected to a newly characterized non-selective calcium and ATPsensitive monovalent cation channel, termed the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel,which is present in neural cells and linked to an SUR. The presentinvention further provides a method to screen for or identifyantagonists to NC_(Ca-ATP) channel activity. Further, the presentinvention provides a method for the therapeutic use of antagonists, suchas sulfonylureas and other SUR1 blockers, to inhibit this channel'sactivity and thereby prevent neural cell swelling and cell death and theconcomitant nervous system damage that includes brain swelling and braindamage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based, in part, on the discovery of a specific channel,the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, which is expressed in reactive neural cellsafter brain trauma. The present invention is directed to purifiedcompositions containing a novel Ca²⁺-activated, [ATP]_(i), sensitivenonspecific cation channel, hereinafter the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel. In apreferred embodiment of the present invention, the compositions comprisemammalian neural cells or membrane preparations expressing theNC_(Ca-ATP) channel, most preferably the mammalian neural cells arefreshly isolated reactive astrocytes. A preferred example of such apurified composition containing the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel is a membranepreparation derived from native reactive astrocytes. As demonstratedherein, when neural cells expressing the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel aredepleted of intracellular ATP, the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel opens and thecells swell and die. However, if the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel is blocked onsuch cells, the cells do not swell and die. The invention is also based,in part, on the discovery that the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel is regulated by atype 1 sulfonylurea receptor, and that antagonists of this receptor arecapable of blocking the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel and inhibit neural cellswelling.

The NC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention is distinguished bycertain functional characteristics, the combination of whichdistinguishes it from known ion channels. The characteristics thatdistinguish the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention include,but are not necessarily limited to, the following: 1) it is anon-selective cation channels that readily allows passage of Na, K andother monovalent cations; 2) it is activated by an increase inintracellular calcium, and/or by a decrease in intracellular ATP; 3) itis regulated by sulfanylurea receptor type 1 (SURD, which heretofore hadbeen considered to be associated exclusively with K_(ATP) channels suchas those found in pancreatic β cells.

More specifically, the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention hasa single-channel conductance to potassium ion (K⁺) between 20 and 50 pS.The NC_(Ca-ATP) channel is also stimulated by Ca²⁺ on the cytoplasmicside of the cell membrane in a physiological concentration range, wheresaid concentration range is from 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻⁵ M. The NC_(Ca-ATP) channelis also inhibited by cytoplasmic ATP in a non-physiologicalconcentration range, where said concentration range is from 10⁻¹ to 10M. The NC_(Ca-ATP) channel is also permeable to the following cations;K⁺, Cs⁺, Li⁺, Na⁺; to the extent that the permeability ratio between anytwo of said cations is greater than 0.5 and less than 2.

The invention relates to assays designed to screen for compounds orcompositions that modulate the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, particularlycompounds or compositions that act as antagonists of the channel, andthereby modulate neural cell swelling and the concomitant brainswelling. To this end, cell-based assays or non-cell based assays can beused to detect compounds that interact with, e.g., bind to, the outside(i.e., extracellular domain) of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel and/or itsassociated SUR1. The cell-based assays have the advantage in that theycan be used to identify compounds that affect NC_(Ca-ATP) channelbiological activity (i.e., depolarization). The invention also providesa method of screening for and identifying antagonists of the NC_(Ca-ATP)channel, by contacting neural cells with a test compound and determiningwhether the test compound inhibits the activity of the NC_(Ca-ATP)channel. In one embodiment, methods for identifying compounds that areantagonists of the NC_(Ca-ATP) are provided. In one embodiment,therapeutic compounds of the present invention, including NC_(Ca-ATP)antagonists, are identified by the compound's ability to block the openchannel or to prevent channel opening, by quantifying channel functionusing electrophysiological techniques to measure membrane currentthrough the channel. NC_(Ca-ATP) antagonists include compounds that areNC_(Ca-ATP) channel inhibitors, NC_(Ca-ATP) channel blockers, SUR1antagonists, SUR1 inhibitors, and/or a compounds that reduce themagnitude of membrane current through the channel. In this embodiment,channel function can be measured in a preparation of neural cells from ahuman or animal, and the test compound can be brought into contact withthe cell preparation by washing it over the cell preparation insolution. The invention further provides a method of screening forsulfonylurea compounds that may act as antagonists of the NC_(Ca-ATP)channel.

The present invention relates to drug screening assays to identifycompounds for the treatment of brain swelling, such as the swelling thatoccurs after brain injury or cerebral ischemia by using the NC_(Ca-ATP)channel as a target. The invention also relates to compounds thatmodulate neural cell swelling via the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel. The presentinvention also relates to the treatment of brain swelling by targetingthe NC_(Ca-ATP) channel.

The invention also encompasses agonists and antagonists of theNC_(Ca-ATP) channel, including small molecules, large molecules, andantibodies, as well as nucleotide sequences that can be used to inhibitNC_(Ca-ATP) channel gene expression (e.g., antisense and ribozymemolecules). An antagonists of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel includes compoundscapable of (1) blocking the channel, (2) preventing channel opening,and/or (3) reducing the magnitude of membrane current through thechannel.

The invention also encompasses the use of such compounds andcompositions, that modulate NC_(Ca-ATP) channel activity to treat brainswelling. Further provided is a method of preventing brain swelling andthe resulting brain damage through the therapeutic use of antagonists tothe NC_(Ca-ATP) channel. In one embodiment, the therapeutic antagonistcan be administered to or into the brain. Such administration to thebrain includes injection directly into the brain, particularly in thecase where the brain has been rendered accessible to injection due totrauma to the skull. The invention further provides the therapeutic useof sulfonylurea compounds as antagonists to the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel toprevent cell swelling in brain. In one embodiment the sulfonylureacompound is glibenclamide. In another embodiment, the sulfonylureacompound is tolbutamide.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 (comprised of FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E and 1F); FIG. 1A showswhole cell current clamp recording before and after exposure to ouabainand before and after exposure to N_(a)N₃. FIG. 1B shows whole cellvoltage-clamp recordings during ramp pulses (a) before and (b) afterexposure to N_(a)N₃; (c) is the difference current. FIG. 1C shows wholecell voltage-clamp recordings during step pulses (a) before and (b)after exposure to N_(a)N₃; (c) is the difference current. FIG. 1D showscell-attached patch recording of single ion channel openings induced byN_(a)N₃ at membrane potentials of (3) −80 mV and (4) 80 mV, compared tocontrol patches at membrane potentials of (1) 80 mV and (2) −80 mV. FIG.1E shows the cell-attached patch currents of FIG. 1D, shown at highertime resolution. FIG. 1F shows the cell-attached patch single-channelcurrent-voltage relationship.

FIG. 2 (comprised of FIGS. 2A and 2B): FIG. 2A shows single channelcurrents recorded in an inside-out patch at different membranepotentials; dotted line indicates channel closing. FIG. 2B is a plot ofinside-out patch single channel amplitude vs. membrane potentials.

FIG. 3 (comprised of FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D); FIG. 3A shows singlechannel currents recorded in an inside-out patch with various alkalineions substituting for K⁺ in the pipette; dotted line indicates channelclosing. FIG. 3B is a plot of channel amplitude vs. membrane potentialwith various alkaline ions substituting for K⁺ in the pipette. FIG. 3Cis a plot of channel amplitude measured in inside-out patches vs.voltage with Ca2⁺ and Mg2⁺ substituting for K⁺ in the pipette. Toestimate channel pore size, FIG. 3D is a plot illustrating therelationship between the permeability (relative to Cs⁺) and themolecular radius of a series of monovalent organic cations, whichincluded: (a) methanolmine, (b) guanidium, (c) ethanolamine, (d)diethylamine, (e) piperazine, (f) Tris, and (g) N-methylglucamine, dataindicating an equivalent pore size of 0.67 nm.

FIG. 4 (comprised of FIGS. 4A and 4B); FIG. 4A shows single channelrecordings in an inside-out patch in the absence and presence ofcytoplasmic ATP. FIG. 4B is a plot of normalized open channelprobability (n·Po) vs. concentration of cytoplasmic ATP.

FIG. 5. (comprised of FIGS. 5A and 5B); FIG. 5A shows current recordsfrom an inside-out patch exposed to different concentrations of[Ca2⁺]_(i). FIG. 5B the values of n·Po measured at the membranepotentials and [Ca2⁺]_(i) indicated.

FIG. 6 is a plot of mean single channel amplitudes obtained in aninside-out patch configuration at different potentials studied and withdifferent [Mg²⁺]_(i); the dotted line indicates 35 pS conductance.

FIG. 7 (comprised of FIGS. 7A and 7B) shows that presence of SUR1 mRNAand absences of Kir6.1 and Kir 6.2 in reactive astrocytes. Lanes 3 and 5in FIG. 7A show the presence of SUR1 in insulinoma RIN-m5f cells andNRAs, respectively. Lanes 4 and 6 in FIG. 7A show that SUFU is absent inboth cell types. Lanes 3 and 4 in FIG. 7B show that Kir6.1 is present ininsulinoma RIN-m5f cells and Kir6.2 is absent from the insulinoma cells,respectively. Lanes 5 and 6 in FIG. 7B show that neither Kir6.1 norKir6.2 is present in NRAs, respectively.

FIG. 8 shows current recordings in an inside-out patch to illustrate theeffects of tryptic digestion on channel sensitivity to glibenclamide andATP.

FIG. 9 (comprised of FIGS. 9A and 9B) shows that the channel activatordiazoxide can elicit channel activities under outside-out patchrecording configuration. FIG. 9A shows the outside-out patch recordingswith Na azide and diazoxide applied to the extracellular side of themembrane. FIG. 9B shows the current records obtained from the segmentsmarked with the corresponding numbers in FIG. 9A, at higher temporalresolution.

FIG. 10 (comprised of FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C) FIG. 10A shows outside-outpatch recordings (a) before, (b) during, and (c) after application ofglibenclamide to the extracellular side of the membrane. FIG. 10B showsthe current records of FIG. 10A at higher temporal resolution. FIG. 10Cshow a plot of mean single channel amplitudes at the differentpotentials studied; the slope of the data indicates 35 pS conductance ofthe glibenclamide-sensitive channel.

FIG. 11 (comprised of FIGS. 11A and 11B) shows that sulfonylureacompounds inhibit channel activities. FIG. 11A shows the outside-outpatch recordings with various concentrations of tolbutamide applied tothe extracellular side of the membrane. FIG. 11B shows the dose-responsecurves for inhibition of open channel probability by glibenclamide andtolbutamide to provide a normalized open channel probability (n·Po);data were fit to a standard logistic equation, with a Hill coefficientof 1 and half-maximum inhibition of 48 nM and 16.1 μM; values plottedare means (^(±) SE) from 3 and 5 patches for Glibenclamide andTolbutamide, respectively.

FIG. 12 (comprised of FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E, 12F, 12G, 12H and12I); FIGS. 12A, 12B and 12C show the probability of channel opening inthe presence of 0 μM, 3 μM, and 30 μM tolbutamide, respectively.

FIGS. 12D, 12E and 12F show the distribution of open channel dwell timesin the presence of 0 μM, 3 μM, and 30 μM tolbutamide, respectively.

FIGS. 12G, 12H and 12I show the distribution of closed channel dwelltimes in the presence of 0 μM, 3 μM, and 30 μM tolbutamide,respectively.

FIG. 13 (comprised of FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C) FIG. 13A shows outside-outpatch recordings with diazoxide applied to the extracellular side of themembrane.

FIG. 13B shows current records at higher temporal resolution afterapplication of diazoxide and at different membrane potentials.

FIG. 13C shows a plot of mean single channel amplitudes at the differentpotentials studied; the slope indicates 35 pS conductance ofglibenclamide-sensitive channel.

FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14C are scanning electron micrographs of freshlyisolated native reactive astrocytes. FIG. 14A shows the cells whenformaldehyde-glutaraldehyde fixation was initiated under controlconditions; FIG. 14B shows the cells fixed 5 min after exposure to 1 mMNaN3. FIG. 14C shows the cells fixed 25 min after exposure to 1 mM NaN3.Bar, 12 μm.

FIG. 15 (comprised of FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C); FIG. 15A hasphotomicrographs of the epifluorescence images of cells exposed todifferent compounds and labeled with gropidium iodide (upper panel a, band c) or annexin V (lower panel d, e and f). The compounds were:control (a & d), 1 mM Na azide (b & e), 1 mM Na azide plus 1 μMglibenclamide (c & f). FIG. 15B has bar graphs showing cell-counts forpropidium iodide labeling; pairwise multiple comparisons indicated asignificant difference (p<0.05) with Na azide treatment; FIG. 15C hasbar graphs showing cell-counts for annexin V staining; pairwise multiplecomparisons indicated no significant difference with any treatment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Some of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

This invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not beconstrued as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

The present invention relates to a novel ion channel whose functionunderlies the swelling of mammalian neural cells, such as in response toATP depletion; the use of the channel to screen for channel inhibitors,and the use of inhibitors of the channel function to prevent this cellswelling response, which characterizes brain damage in cerebral ischemiaand traumatic brain injury.

Sodium azide (N a N 3) is a metabolic toxin used to induce “chemicalhypoxia” by depleting intracellular ATP. See, Swanson, 1992. Themorphological and electrophysiological responses of neural cells to NaN³are examined in a novel cell preparation. Freshly isolated nativereactive astrocytes (NRAs) from adult rat brain are used and studied ina native state immediately after their isolation. Reactive astrocytesare astrocytes that have been activated or stimulated in vivo, such asthose associated with brain or neural injury. In the post-mortem brainsof traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients, reactive astrocytes are foundin proximity to the injury. The majority of reactive astrocytessurrounding an injury site in the brain are reactive astrocytes. Type 1reactive astrocytes comprise >80% of recoverable reactive astrocytes,whereas type 2 reactive astrocytes comprise about 5%. Reactiveastrocytes are normally polarized under quiescent conditions.

As used herein, the term “neural cells” includes astrocytes. The term“reactive astrocytes” means astrocytes found in brain at the site of alesion or ischemia. The term “native reactive astrocytes” or WRAs” meansreactive astrocytes that are freshly isolated from brain. The term“freshly isolated” as used herein refers to NRAs that have been purifiedfrom brain, particularly NRAs that were purified from about 0 to about72 hours previously. When NRAs are referred to as being “purified frombrain” the word “purified” means that the NRAs are isolated from otherbrain tissue and/or implanted gelatin or sponge and does not refer to aprocess that simply harvests a population of cells from brain withoutfurther isolation of the cells. As described herein, the NC_(Ca-ATP)channel found in reactive astrocytes is present only in freshly isolatedcells; the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel is lost shortly after culturing thecells. NRAs provide an in vitro model that is more similar to reactiveastrocytes as they exist in vivo in the brain, than astrocytes grown inculture. The terms “native” and “freshly isolated” are usedsynonymously. As used herein, the term “isolated neural cells” meansneural cells isolated from brain.

Reactive astrocytes are produced in vivo and harvested from brainaccording to a method system similar to that described by Perillan. See,Perillan et al., 1999; Perillan et al., 2000. Harvested cells are thenisolated and not cultured; rather, the freshly isolated reactiveastrocytes are studied in a native state immediately after theirisolation from the brain.

The Examples described herein reveal that NRAs from adult rat brainexpress a non-selective cation channel that is activated by depletion of[ATP]i at physiological concentrations of [Ca2⁺]i. This NC_(Ca-ATP)channel of the present invention, which is newly identified in NRAs andpresent in >90% of membrane patches from such cells, is distinguishedfrom previously reported non-selective calcium and ATP channels byexhibiting significantly different properties. These distinguishingproperties of the NC_(Ca-ATP) of the present invention include: beingactivated by submicromolar [Ca] and exhibiting a different sensitivityto block by various adenine nucleotides. Opening of the NC_(Ca-ATP)channel of the present invention by ATP depletion causes profoundmembrane depolarization, which precedes blebbing of the cell membrane.Upon ATP depletion, the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel opens to allow Na⁺ influxthat leads to cell swelling. This channel is regulated by sulfonylureareceptor type 1 (SUR1). The channel can be blocked by sulfonylurea, suchas glibenclamide and tolbutamide; treatment with glybenclamide resultsin significant reduction in swelling and blebbing induced by chemicalATP depletion. This channel participates in the cation flux involved incell swelling. A method of the present invention includes the use ofsulfonylurea compounds to inhibit the flow of current through theNC_(Ca-ATP) channel and inhibit blebbing related to channel opening.Also, use of sulfonylurea compounds and other compounds that inhibit theflow of current through the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, thus can have atherapeutic preventative effect on cell swelling in brain.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide acomposition comprising a membrane preparation expressing the NC_(Ca-ATP)channel. For example, the membrane preparation is derived from neuralcells, such as isolated native reactive astrocytes (NRAs), preferablyfreshly isolated native reactive astrocytes. The NC_(Ca-ATP) channel inthe composition has the following characteristics: (a) it is a 35 pStype channel; (b) it is stimulated by cytoplasmic Ca2⁺; (c) it openswhen cytoplasmic ATP is less than about 0.804; and (d) it is permeableto the monovalent cations K⁺, Cs⁺, Li⁺ and Na⁺ and it can be blocked byantagonists of the type 1 sulfonylurea receptor.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide amethod of screening for antagonists of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel,comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with a composition comprisingthe NC_(Ca-ATP) channel; and (b) identifying test compounds that inhibitan activity of said channel by measuring said activity in the presenceand absence of said test compound, wherein a test compound that inhibitssaid activity is identified as an antagonist of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel.For example, the composition may contain a preparation of neural cellsexpressing the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel or a membrane preparation expressingthe NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, such as a membrane preparation derived fromisolated native reactive astrocytes (NRAs). The effect of the compoundon this channel may include: (a) blocking the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel; (b)closing the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel; (c) preventing the NC_(Ca-ATP) channelfrom opening; and (d) reducing the magnitude of membrane current throughthe NC_(Ca-ATP) channel. It is also an object of the present inventionto identify a compound that is an NC_(Ca-ATP) antagonist, including anNC_(Ca)-ATP channel inhibitor, an NC_(Ca-ATP) channel blocker, a SUR1antagonist, SUR1 inhibitor, and/or a compound capable of reducing themagnitude of membrane current though the channel.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a method foridentifying compounds that inhibit neural cell swelling, comprising: (a)contacting a test compound with a composition comprising the NC_(Ca-ATP)channel, and (b) determining whether the test compound blocks theNC_(Ca-ATP) channel, wherein a test compound that blocks the NC_(Ca-ATP)channel is identified as a compound for inhibiting neural cell swelling.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method foridentifying compounds that inhibit brain swelling, comprising: (a)contacting a test compound with a composition comprising the NC_(Ca-ATP)channel, and (b) determining whether the test compound blocks theNC_(Ca-ATP) channel, wherein a test compound that blocks the NC_(Ca-ATP)channel is identified as a compound for inhibiting brain swelling.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method foridentifying compounds that inhibit brain swelling, comprising: (a)contacting a test compound with a composition comprising the NC_(Ca-ATP)channel, and (b) determining whether the test compound inhibits neuralcell swelling, wherein a test compound that inhibits neural cellswelling is identified as a compound for inhibiting brain swelling.

A further object of the present invention provides a method foridentifying compounds that inhibit neural cell swelling in an animal,comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with a composition comprisingthe NC_(Ca-ATP) channel and determining whether the test compound blocksthe channel, and (b) administering the test compound to an animal havinga brain injury or cerebral ischemia, and determining whether the testcompound that inhibits brain swelling of the treated animal, whereintest compounds that inhibit brain swelling are identified as compoundsthat inhibit neural cell swelling in an animal.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method foridentifying compounds that inhibit brain swelling, comprising: (a)contacting a test compound with a composition comprising the NC_(Ca-ATP)channel, and determining whether the test compound blocks the channel,and (b) administering the test compound to an animal having a braininjury or cerebral ischemia, and determining whether the test compoundinhibits brain swelling of the treated animal, wherein test compoundsthat block the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel are identified as compounds thatinhibit brain swelling.

In each of these objects of the present invention, the compositionpreferably comprises a preparation of neural cells expressing theNC_(Ca-ATP) channel or a membrane preparation expressing the NC_(Ca-ATP)channel, which preferably is derived from isolated native reactiveastrocytes (NRAs). It is a further object of the present invention toprovide the above methods using a compound that is an antagonist of atype 1 sulfonylurea receptor, such as a sulfonylurea compound, abenzamido derivative or an imidazoline derivative.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide these methodsin which the determining step include, but are not limited to, detectingor identifying swelling of the native reactive astrocytes, such as bymicroscopic observation of cell appearance (normal, blebbing, swelling);measuring channel currents; measuring membrane potential; detectingexpression of annexin V; detecting expression of propidium iodide; invitro binding assays; and combinations thereof.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method ofpreventing neural cell swelling in the brain of a subject, said methodcomprising administering to the subject a formulation containing aneffective amount of a compound that blocks the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method ofalleviating the negative effects of traumatic brain injury or cerebralischemia stemming from neural cell swelling in a subject, comprisingadministering to the subject a formulation comprising an effectiveamount of a compound that blocks the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Such administration may be deliverydirectly to the brain, intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular,intracutaneous, intragastric and oral administration. Examples of suchcompounds include antagonist of a type 1 sulfonylurea receptor, such assulfonylureas like glibenclamide and tolbutamide, as well as otherinsulin secretagogues such as repaglinide, nateglinide, meglitinide,midaglizole, LY397364, LY389382, gliclazide, glimepiride, MgADP, andcombinations thereof.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide aformulation for preventing or inhibiting neural cell swelling in thebrain of a subject, using a formulation that includes a compound thatblocks the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel and a pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier, wherein the quantity of said compound is at least 10 timesgreater than the quantity of said compound in formulations for treatingdiabetes.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are provided for further illustration of thepresent invention, and do not limit the invention. The examples providedherein are for illustrative purposes only, and are in no way intended tolimit the scope of the present invention. While the invention has beendescribed in detail, and with reference to specific embodiments thereof,it will be apparent to one with ordinary skill in the art that variouschanges and modifications can be made therein without departing from thespirit and scope thereof. Experiments and exemplary procedures aredescribed below which provide additional enabling support for thepresent invention. In particular, in vitro studies using freshlyisolated reactive astrocytes and in vivo studies using appropriateanimal models are disclosed.

General Methods Cell Preparation

Reactive astrocytes are produced in vivo and harvested from adult brainin the following manner: gelatin sponges (Gelfoam®, Upjohn Co.,Kalamazoo Mich.) are implanted into a stab wound in the parietal lobe of8 week old Wistar rats as described herein. Sponge pieces are harvestedat 8 days and washed three times in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, pH7.4) to remove adherent tissue. Depending on the number of NRAs requiredfor a particular study, the sponge pieces may be harvested earlier orlater after implantation into a stab wound, with the preferred harvestbeing conducted from about 2 days to about 30 days after implantation,and the most preferred range being conducted from about 2 days to about3 days after implantation.

NRAs are freshly isolated from the sponge pieces in the followingmanner: washed pieces are placed in an Eppendorf tube containingartificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) composed of (mM): 124 mM NaCl, 5.0mM, 1.3 mM MgCl₂, 2.0 mM CaCl₂, 26 mM NaHCO₃, and 10 mM D-glucose; at pH7.4, ≈290 mOsm, wherein the aCSF contains papain 20 U/ml, trypsininhibitor 10 mg/ml and DNase 0.01% (Worthington, Lakewood, N.J.), theentirety of which is referred to as a “digestion system.”

This digestion system is transferred to an incubator (humidified 90%/10%air/C02, 37° C.) for 20 minutes, and is gently triturated every 5minutes. The cell suspension is centrifuged at 3,000 rpm for 1 minute.The pelleted cells are resuspended in aCSF and stored at 4° C. untilstudied.

For some studies, prior to resuspension in aCSF, the pelleted cells canbe further purified by removing red blood cells (RBCs) using densitygradient centrifugation in Histopaque-1 077 (Sigma Diagnostics, St.Louis, Mo.). This further purification process can produce a populationof cells in which <<1% are RBCs, as determined by phase contrastmicroscopy.

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

To study cell blebbing and swelling, freshly isolated cells are exposedat room temperature to NaN³ then, after various time intervals, cellsare fixed using iced 4% formaldehyde+1% glutaraldehyde for 24 hours thendehydrated using serial concentrations (35, 50, 75, 95, 100%) ofethanol. Specimens are critical point dried (Tousimis), gold coated(Technics), and viewed using an AMR 1000 scanning electron microscope.

Electrophysiology

Experiments are carried out at room temperature, 22-25° C., using NRAswithin 24 hour of cell isolation. An aliquot of these freshly isolatedNRAs is placed in the recording chamber filled with extracellular bathsolution containing (a): NaCl 130, KCl 10, CaCl₂ 1, MgCl₂ 1, HEPES 32.5,glucose 12.5, pH 7.4. After viable cells adhere to the surface, flushingwith excess solution washes away residual debris not previously removedby centrifugation. Membrane currents are amplified (Axopatch 200A, AxonInstruments, Foster City, Calif.) and sampled on-line at 5 kHz using amicrocomputer equipped with a digitizing board (Digidata 1200A, AxonInstruments) and running Clampex software (version 8.0, AxonInstruments). Membrane currents are recorded in intact cells using boththe cell-attached and the nystatin-perforated whole-cell configurations,according to methods described in Horn and Marty, 1988. Membranecurrents are recorded in cell-free isolated membrane patches, using boththe inside-out and outside-out configurations, such as those describedin Hamill et al., 1981. Patch clamp pipettes, pulled from borosilicateglass (Kimax, Fisher Scientific, Pittsburgh, Pa.), have resistances of6-8 MΩ a for single channel recordings and 2-4 MΩ a for experimentsusing the nystatin-perforated whole-cell technique. The bath electrodeis a Ag/AgCl pellet (Clark Electromedical, Reading, England) that isplaced directly in the bath except when the bath [Cl−] is altered, inwhich case an agar bridge made with 3 M KCl is used to connect to thebath.

The terms “intracellular” and “cytoplasmic” are interchangeable, as arethe terms “extracellular” and “external”. The terms “voltage” and“potential” are interchangeable when referring to membrane voltage ormembrane potential. “Clamping” a cell membrane refers to holding thevoltage across the cell membrane constant and measuring changes inmembrane current as membrane resistance changes due to ion channelopening and closing (“voltage clamp”) or holding the current across thecell membrane constant and measuring changes in membrane voltage asmembrane resistance changes due to ion channel opening and closing(“current clamp”). When a membrane voltage is imposed on the cell, forexample with a “ramp” or “pulse”, it is understood that the cellmembrane has been voltage-clamped and membrane current is beingmeasured. When membrane “resting potential” is measured, it isunderstood that the cell membrane has been current-clamped and membranevoltage is being measured.

The “whole-cell” experimental configuration refers to a situation inwhich a recording pipette penetrates the cell membrane so that thepipette solution is continuous with the cytoplasm or the membrane underthe pipette is perforated using nystatin, the external solution is incontact with the extracellular membrane, and current or voltagerecordings represent measurements from the entire cell membrane. The“cell-attached patch” experimental configuration refers to a situationin which the pipette contacts the cell so that the patch is stillforming part of the intact cell membrane and channels in the patch arerecorded. The “outside-out patch” experimental configuration refers to asituation in which an excised patch of cell membrane is sealed to thetip of a recording pipette so that the pipette solution is in contactwith the extracellular side of the membrane, the external solution is incontact with the cytoplasmic side of the membrane, and current orvoltage recordings represent measurements from the excised patch ofmembrane. The “inside-out patch” experimental configuration refers to asituation in which an excised patch of cell membrane is sealed to thetip of a recording pipette so that the pipette solution is in contactwith the cytoplasmic side of the membrane, the external solution is incontact with the extracellular side of the membrane, and current orvoltage recordings represent measurements from the excised patch ofmembrane.

The term “patches” includes, but is not limited to: inside-out patches,outside-out patches, an excised patch of a cell membrane, or acell-attached patch. The term “membrane preparation” includes patches aswell as cell membranes isolated from mammalian cells or tissues.Isolated mammalian cell membranes are produced by methods well known inthe art. One example of such a membrane preparation is a microsomalfraction purified from disrupted cells or a tissue sample bydiscontinuous sucrose gradient centrifugation.

Patches with seal resistance of <3 GΩ and access resistance of >50 MΩare discarded. Macroscopic membrane currents are measured during steppulses (600 ms) or during ramp pulses (−140 to +50 mV at 0.32 mV/ms)from a holding potential of −67 mV.

Recording Solutions

For whole cell macroscopic recordings, a nystatin perforated patchtechnique is used, with a bath solution containing (mM): NaCl 130, KCl10, CaCl₂ 1, MgCl₂ 1, HEPES 32.5, glucose 12.5, pH 7.4. The pipettesolution contains (mM): KCl 55, K₂SO4 75, MgCl₂ 8, and HEPES 10, pH 7.2.Nystatin, 50 mg (Calbiochem) is dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), 1ml. Working solutions are made before the experiment by adding 16.5 μlnystatin stock solution to 5 ml of the base pipette solution to yield afinal concentration of nystatin of 165 μg/ml and DMSO 3.3 μl/ml. Thiscomposition of the pipette solution includes K₂SO₄ instead of a portionof the KCl that would otherwise be included. The S0₄2-anion, unlike Cl−,is not permeable through the nystatin pore. Reducing the pipette [Cl−]reduces the driving force for Cl− into the cell, thereby minimizingosmotic swelling of the cell that might otherwise occur duringelectrophysiological recording (Horn and Marty, 1988).

For cell-attached patch recording, a bath solution is used containing(mM): NaCl 130, KCl 10, CaCl₂ 1, MgCl₂ 1, HEPES 32.5, glucose 12.5, pH7.4. The pipette contains (mM): KCl 145, MgCl₂ 1, CaCl₂ 0.2, EGTA 5,HEPES 10, pH 7.28. The measured osmolarity of the extracellular solutionis ≈300 mOsm (Precision Systems, Natick, Mass.).

For most inside-out patch recording, a bath solution is used containing(mM): CsCl 145, CaCl₂ 4.5, MgCl₂ 1, EGTA 5, HEPES 32.5, glucose 12.5, pH7.4. The pipette contains (a): CsCl 145, MgCl₂ 1, CaCl₂ 0.2, EGTA 5,HEPES 10, pH 7.28. For other inside-out patch recordings, Cs+ in theabove solutions is replaced with equimolar K⁺.

For the inorganic cation substitution experiments, Cs+ in the pipette isreplaced by equimolar concentrations of individual test ions, exceptwhen using Ca2⁺ or Mg2⁺, in which cases a concentration of 75 mh4 isused to facilitate seal formation (Cook et al., 1990).

For outside-out patch recording, the pipette solution contains (mM):CsCl 145, MgCl₂ 1, CaCl₂ 0.2, EGTA 5, HEPES 10, pH 7.28. The standardbath solution contains (mM): CsCl 145, CaCl24.5, MgCl₂ 1, EGTA 5, HEPES32.5, glucose 12.5, pH 7.4. For the organic cation substitutionexperiments, Cs+ in the bath is replaced with equimolar concentrationsof test cation.

For experiments requiring low concentration of free Ca2⁺ in bathsolution, Ca2⁺-EGTA buffered solution is employed, and free [Ca2⁺] iscalculated using the program WEBMAXC v2.10(http://www.stanford.edu/-cpatton/maxc.html). For [Ca2⁺]=1 μM, 5 mM EGTAis used and 4.5 mM Ca2⁺ salt. [Ca2⁺]=1 μM is also used in solutions totest intracellular ATP and Mg2⁺ activities.

Single-channel amplitudes used to calculate slope conductance areobtained by fitting a Gaussian function to an all-points amplitudehistogram of records obtained at various potentials. To calculate openchannel probability (n·Po) at various potentials and with different testagents, the all-points histogram is fit to a Gaussian function and thearea under the fitted curve for the open channel is divided by the areaunder the fitted curve for the closed plus open channel. Values of n·Poat different concentration of test agents are fit to a standard logisticequation using a least-squares method.

For estimating ionic permeabilities of various cations relative to thatfor K⁺, each permeability (Px/PK) is obtained from its reversalpotential (Erev) by fitting to the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz (GHK) equationwell known in the art. See Goldman 1943; Hodgkin and Katz, 1949.Current-voltage data are fit to the GHK equation, assuming that both K+and the test ion are permeant.

To estimate the pore size of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the presentinvention, the relative permeabilities of organic cations are evaluated.The Stokes-Einstein radius (rse) is calculated from the limitingconductivities (*) of the ions with the formula: r_(SE)·λ=constant. Theconstant is determined from the behavior of TEA at 25° C., for whichλ=44.9 cm²Ω-1, r_(SE)=0.204 nm. The Stoke-Einstein radius is thenconverted to the molecular radius using correction factors read off fromFigure 6.1 in Robinson and Stokes, 1970. The equivalent limitingconductance for ethanolamine is given (ibid.) and those of other ionsare calculated from their molecular weight by the formula, MW0.5·λ=constant. The constant is determined by the value for ethanolamineat 25° C.: MW=62.1 and λ=4.42 cm^(2Ω-1) equiv. Relative permeabilities(Px/PCs) are then plotted against the calculated ionic radii. The effectof solute size on the rate of penetration (permeability) through poresis expressed by the Renkin equation (Renkin, 1955):

a/a ₀=[1−(r/R)]^(2·)[1−2.104(r/R)+2.09(rR)³−0.95(r/R)⁵]  (1)

in which a, a₀, r, and R are the effective area of the pore, the totalcross sectional area of the pore, radius of the solute, and radius ofthe pore, respectively.

Junction potentials are determined with an electrometer by measuring thediffusion potential established across a dialysis membrane and aresubtracted when appropriate. Holding currents are not subtracted fromany of the recordings. Difference currents are obtained by simplysubtracting current records before and after perfusing NaN₃, with noother processing being employed.

Results

The Role of the NC_(Ca-ATP) Channel in Neural Cell Swelling

Characterization of the Channel

Example 1 Morphological Changes with ATP Depletion Using NaN₃

Cultured neural cells have been shown to swell upon ATP depletion. See,Jurkowitz-Alexander et al., 1992; Jurkowitz-Alexander et al., 1993.Freshly isolated NRAs depleted of ATP also results in cell swelling.Ischemia or traumatic injury in brain also causes depletion of ATP inbrain neural cells.

The surfaces of freshly isolated NRAs are highly complex, exhibitingsmall membrane evaginations and fine processes that decorate the entirecell surface, as shown in the scanning electron micrograph in FIG. 14A.Exposure of NRAs to NaN₃ (1 mM) causes changes in the surfaceappearance, characterized early-on by loss of complex structure anddevelopment of surface blebs (FIG. 14B), followed later by a grosslyswollen appearance with complete loss of fine structure and formation ofmultiple large blebs (FIG. 14C). Therefore, NRAs undergo blebbing andswelling after NaN3-induced ATP depletion.

Phase contrast microscopy is also useful for assessing this process,although fine structure cannot be resolved. Blebbing is visibly apparent10-15 minutes after exposure to NaN₃. Morphological changes of this sortare attributable to loss of cytoskeletal integrity, combined with actionof an osmotic force that causes swelling of the cell.

To assess the contribution of the osmotic gradient to cell swelling, theexperiment is repeated in the presence of mannitol, an impermeantoncotic agent. Mannitol (50 mM), at a concentration sufficient toincrease osmolarity of the extracellular solution from 300 to 350 mOsm,delays bleb formation>30 minutes after exposure to NaN₃. Cellular ATPalso can be depleted using exposure to NaCN (2.5 mM) plus 2-deoxyglucose(10 mM). See, Johnson et al., 1994. Similar morphologic changes,including cell membrane blebbing and delay of blebbing by mannitol areobtained following exposure to NaCN and 2-deoxyglucose. Thisdemonstrates that the effect of NaN₃ is due in fact to ATP depletion andnot to any other non-specific effect of NaN₃.

Example 2 General Electrophysiological Properties of NRAs

The macroscopic currents of whole cell preparations of N u s arecharacterized by small inward currents at negative potentials, largeoutward currents at positive potentials, and a flat “plateau” region atintermediate potentials. NRAs exhibit macroscopic currents that areconsistent with observations in primary cultured cells of the sameorigin. See, Perillan et al., 1999; Perillan et al., 2000. The NRAsexhibited inward currents negative to the K⁺ equilibrium potential(E_(K)) are usually <100 pA, much smaller than values reported incultured neonatal astrocytes (Ransom and Sontheimer, 1995), butconsistent with findings in astrocytes freshly isolated from injuredbrain (Bordey and Sontheimer, 1998; Schroder et al., 1999). The largeoutward currents in NRAs are partially blocked by charybdotoxin (100nM), iberiotoxin (1 00 nM) and tetraethylammonium chloride (5 mM),consistent with the presence of a large conductance Ca2⁺-activated K⁺channel. See, Perillan et al., 1999. The outward current that remains inthe presence of charybdotoxin can be further blocked by 4-aminopyridine(5 mM), and exhibits kinetic properties typical of a delayed rectifierK⁺ channel. Consistent with a previous report (Perillan et al., 1999),fast inward voltage dependent currents attributable to Na⁺ channels areobserved in less that 1% of NRAS.

NaN₃ Elicits Depolarizing Inward Current Due to 35 DS Channel

Current clamp recordings are used to investigate the effect of ATPdepletion by NaN₃ in NRAs. For these experiments, a nystatin-perforatedpatch method is used to assure that the metabolic disruption comes fromdrug application and not cell dialysis. Extracellular application ofNaN₃ (1 mM; room temperature) results in a large and swiftdepolarization of the cells (FIG. 1A). NaN3 rapidly depolarizes thecells to E_(m)≈0 mV (−4.3±0.9 mv). Depolarization usually starts −1minute after addition of NaN₃, is complete in <3 minutes, and isirreversible on washout of drug. Ouabain is a known Na⁺/K⁺-ATPaseblocker. See, Brismar and Collins, 1993. The magnitude of thedepolarization observed with NaN₃ far exceeds the small reversibledepolarization induced by ouabain (1 mM). This indicates that the largedepolarization observed after exposure to NaN₃ is not caused byNa⁺/K⁺-ATPase pump failure.

The time course of depolarization with NaN3 is appreciably more rapidthan the time course for development of cell membrane blebbing observedwith the same treatment. Also, neither the time course nor the magnitudeof the depolarization is affected by raising the extracellularosmolarity with 50 mM mannitol, a treatment that substantially delaysbleb formation. Thus, depolarization is a primary event, not secondaryto cell swelling or stretch.

Voltage-clamp recordings show that exposure to NaN₃ results in a netincrease of inward current in NRAs. Recordings obtained using both ramp(FIG. 1B) and step pulses (FIG. 1 C) show significantly larger currentsafter NaN₃ treatment, as shown by comparing the recordings before (a)and after (b) NaN₃ treatment. A plot of the “difference currents”,obtained by subtracting the current-voltage curve before drug from thatafter drug (line c in FIG. 1B), indicates that the new current turned onby NaN₃ reverses near 0 mV. A reversal potential near 0 mV is indicativethat the NaN₃-induced current results from a non-specific cationconductance.

To further characterize the NaN₃-induced current, cell-attached patchrecordings are used. Exposure to NaN₃ elicits single channel currents inpatches that exhibit no single channel currents prior to addition ofdrug (FIG. 1D). After addition of NaN₃, recordings at low temporalresolution reveal a large increase in current variance that, afterincreasing temporal resolution, is revealed to be due to single channelevents (FIG. 1E at 3 and 4). The amplitudes of single-channel eventsrecorded at different membrane potentials are plotted in FIG. 1F, whichshows that NaN₃ activates a single channel conductance of ≈35 pS thatexhibits weak inward rectification when measured in the cell-attachedconfiguration.

Additional experiments are carried out in the cell-attachedconfiguration with the pipette solution supplemented with various drugs.The NaN₃-induced single channel currents are not blocked by 10 mM TEA, 5mM 4-AP, 100 nM iberiotoxin, 100 nM charybdotoxin, or 1 μM tetrodotoxin(4-6 patches for each compound). These experiments indicating that atypical K⁺ or Na⁺ channel is not involved. Also, because 0.2 mM Ca2⁺ isincluded in the pipette solution, these single channel openings areunlikely to be due to monovalent cation influx via an L-type Ca2⁺channel.

Similar depolarization and activation of a 35 pS channel are obtainedwhen cellular ATP is depleted using exposure to NaCN (2.5 mM) plus2-deoxyglucose (10 mM). This demonstrates that the effect of NaN₃ iscaused by ATP depletion and not by any other non-specific effect ofNaN₃.

Apart from ATP depletion, patch excision is also a highly reliablemethod for channel activation. Of the more than 120 cells studied in thecell-attached configuration, spontaneous channel activity attributableto a ≈35 pS conductance is detected in only 2 cells. Thus, theNC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention is typically silent inmetabolically healthy cells. By contrast, a ≈35-pS channel is presentin >90% of inside-out patches formed from NRAs not exposed to NaN₃ orother metabolic toxins, thus demonstrating that an intracellular elementlost on patch excision normally prevents channel activation.

Another potential mechanism of channel activation other than patchexcision is regulatory volume decrease (RVD). Cell swelling is widelyrecognized as a stimulus that initiates RVD, a phenomenon accompanied byactivation of various currents, including a non-selective cation channelin some systems. See, Ono et al., 1994. When membrane patches arestudied in a cell-attached configuration, hyposmotic stimulation (210mosmo/kgH₂O) activated single channel events, but none exhibit a ≈35 pSconductance. This finding indicates that the depolarization and channelactivation observed with NaN³ are not part of an RVD response secondaryto NaN₃-induced cell swelling, and accords with the previously notedobservation that NaN₃-induced depolarization preceded cell swelling.This fact is supported by the observation that the NC_(Ca-ATP) channelis seldom observed in cell attached patches from healthy cells, butbecomes evident in >90% of patches after conversion to an inside-outconfiguration. Also, the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel is lost shortly afterculturing reactive astrocytes.

Example 3 Relative Permeabilities and Pore-Size

The channel is further characterized using membrane patches in theinside-out configuration. Records obtained during test pulses to variouspotentials with equal [K⁺] on both sides of the membrane are shown inFIG. 2A. Amplitude histograms are constructed of events observed atpotentials from −140 mV to +100 mV, and values (mean±SE) for 4 patchesare plotted and show in FIG. 2B. Fit of the data to a linear equationindicates a slope conductance of 35 pS, with an extrapolated reversalpotential (E_(rev)) of +0.1 mV, close to the expected K⁺ reversalpotential (E_(K)) of 0 mV.

In addition to conducting K⁺, the channel transports a variety ofalkaline ions (FIG. 3A), indicating that it is a non-selective cationchannel. In inside-out patches, the conductance of the channel ismeasured with various alkaline ions in the pipette solution, includingCs⁺, Na⁺, Rb⁺, K⁺, and Li⁺, always with equimolar K⁺ in the bathsolution. Current-voltage data are fit to the GHK equation. Na⁺ is shownto have a nearly equal slope conductance (32.6 pS) compared to K⁺ (35.2pS), but the slope conductance is reduced with other cations (FIG. 3B).Measurements of E_(rev) are used to estimate relative permeabilities forthe series of alkaline ions. Values for relative permeabilities derivedfrom the GHK equation are P_(Cs) ⁺/P_(K) ⁺=1.06, P_(Na) ⁺/P_(K) ⁺=1.04,P_(Rb) ⁺/P_(K) ⁺=1.02, and P_(Li) ⁺/PK⁺=0.96, indicating that thischannel is nearly equally permeable to all monovalent cations.

The permeability of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention toanions, such as Cl⁻, is also assessed. After measuring single channelcurrent amplitudes at different potentials with 145 mM KCl, the bathsolution is changed to equimolar K⁺ gluconate. When an agar bridge isused, the solution change resulted in a change in Erev<0.5 mV,indicating that the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention isessentially impermeable to anions.

The permeability of the instant channel to divalent cations, Ca²⁺ andMg²⁺, is also investigated (FIG. 3C). When potassium ion in the pipettesolution is replaced with 75 mM Ca²⁺ or Mg²⁺, inward currents are notdetected. Fit to the GHK equation gives best fit values forE_(rev),<<−65 mV for Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ respectively, giving relativepermeabilities with respect to K⁺ of <<0.001, indicating that thischannel is essentially impermeable to divalent cations.

Because the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention discriminatesvery poorly among monovalent inorganic cations (FIGS. 3A and B),experiments are performed to determine the equivalent pore size of thechannel by measuring channel permeability, relative to Cs⁺, for a widerange of organic cations. Using an outside-out patch configuration,single-channel current-voltage relations are plotted to obtain E_(rev)for a number of organic cations. Permeability ratios are then derivedfrom fits to the GHK equation. For each of the organic cations (a)nethanolamine, (b) guanidium, (c) ethanolamine, (d) diethylamine, (e)piperazine, (f) Tris, and (g) N-methylglucamine, the mean value ofrelative permeability measured is plotted against its hydrated molecularradius (FIG. 3D, empty circles). The permeability ratios define asmoothly declining series of values that are well fit by the Renkinequation. The Renkin equation describes the permeation of a rigid spherethrough a cylindrical pore. Renkin, 1955. Least-squares, fit to theequation, indicates an equivalent pore radius of 0.67 nm for theNC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention. A 0.67 nm pore radius issimilar to pore sizes of 6 A, found for the Ca²⁺ channel (McCleskey andAlmers, 1985) and 7.4 A, found for the nAChR channel (Adams et al.,1980). Junction potentials determined according to the methods describedherein generally did not exceed 5 mV.

Example 4 Inhibition by [ATP]_(i)

The NC_(Ca-ATP) channel is inhibited by intracellular ATP, based on thefinding that this channel is turned on after depleting intracellular ATPby exposure to NaN₃ (See FIGS. 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E) or to NaCN plus2-deoxyglucose. This fact is supported by the observation that theNC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention is seldom observed in cellattached patches from healthy cells, but becomes evident in >90% ofpatches after conversion to an inside-out configuration.

Inside-out patches are used to demonstrate that the channel is sensitiveto block by ATP on the cytoplasmic side of the membrane. Patches arestudied using Cs′ as the charge carrier, to assure that no K⁺ channel,such as Kir2.3 or K_(ATP), is contributing to patch activity. With noATP and 1 μM Ca²⁺ in the bath, the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel exhibits vigorousopenings. 1 mM ATP causes profound diminution in channel activity, aneffect that is readily reversed on washout (FIG. 4A); however, channelavailability is unaffected by 1 mM AMP or ADP. The open channelprobability (n·Po) is measured at different [ATPIi, and these values arenormalized to that obtained at [ATP]_(i)=O mM, and fitted to a standardlogistic equation. As shown in FIG. 4B, the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel isblocked by [ATP], in a dose-dependent manner. Half maximum inhibition(IC₅₀) is observed at [ATP]_(i), =0.79 μM with a Hill coefficient of 1,and channel activity is completely abolished at [ATP]i>30 μM. ADP andAMP, have no effect on the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel activity in inside-outpatches.

This in vitro assay for determining the concentration of the testcompound which achieves a half-maximal inhibition of channel activity(ICSO) may be used to formulate dose in animal models to achieve acirculating plasma concentration range that includes the IC₅₀.

Example 5 Activation by [Ca²⁺]_(i)

The Ca²⁺ concentration on the cytoplasmic side of the membrane is alsofound to regulate activity of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the presentinvention. The relationship between NC_(Ca-ATP) channel activity and[Ca²⁺]i is examined using inside-out patches studied at membranepotential (Em)=−80 mV. Changing [Ca²⁺]i clearly affects activity of theNC_(Ca-ATP) channel (FIG. 5A). When free [Ca²⁺]i is <30 nM, no channelactivity is apparent. With [Ca²⁺]i>30 nM, the open probability (no·o)increases in accordance with the [Ca²⁺]i, up to ≈1 μM of [Ca²⁺]i atwhich activity is near maximum. The effect of Ca²⁺ on channelavailability is found to depend on membrane voltage. Values of no·o from4-9 patches obtained at three different potentials, Em=−40 mV, −80 mVand −120 mV, are normalized to values observed with 3 μM [Ca²⁺]i. Thesedata are fit to a standard logistic equation using a Hill coefficient of1.5 and half-maximum values of 0.12 μM, 0.31 μM and 1.5 μM at −40 mV,−80 mV and −120 mV, respectively (FIG. 5B). These data indicate thatchannel activity is strongly dependent on [Ca²⁺]i at physiologicallyrelevant concentrations, and that the effect of Ca²⁺ is voltagedependent, consistent with a Ca²⁺ binding site inside the electric fieldof the membrane.

Example 6 Internal Mg²⁺ Causes Rectification

Because certain channels are sensitive to intracellular Mg²⁺ (Chuang etal., 1997; Perillan et al., 2000), experiments are carried out todetermine whether the channel rectification observed in cell-attachedpatch recordings (see FIG. 1 F) might be due to intracellular Mg²⁺.Using inside-out patches studied with equimolar K⁺ on both sides of themembrane, [Mg²⁺] is varied on the cytoplasmic side. Single channelrecords and channel amplitudes observed with different [Mg²⁺]i are shown(FIG. 6). No rectification is evident with [Mg²⁺]_(i) 30 μM, but at[Mg²⁺]i≈100 μM, increasingly strong rectification is present. At 100 μM,Mg²⁺ appears to produce a flickery block.

Example 7 Identifying the Presence of SUR in NRAs

To determine if SUR receptors are present in NRAs, the binding ofglibenclamide to these cells is assessed by fluorescence microscopy.Eight week old Wistar rats are injured by a stab wound into thesubcortical white matter and implantation of a gelatin sponge aspreviously described herein. Eight days later, tissue sections offormaldehyde-fixed brains from injured animals are incubated for 60minutes at room temperature with 20 nM FITC-conjugated glibenclamide. Afluorescence image of the gelatin sponge shows labeled cells lining thecavities of the sponge. In brain adjacent to the injury, essentially noglibenclamide binding is apparent. These data indicate that SUR, whichare not normally present in subcortical white matter, are expressed inneural cells following traumatic injury.

RT-PCR

Total RNA is extracted from cells and used to synthesize cDNA, which isamplified from reactive astrocytes is analyzed by RT-PCR on an agarosegel stained with ethidium bromide. FIG. 7A is a photograph of the gelshowing the RT-PCR for SUR1 and SUR2. FIG. 7B is a photograph of a gelshowing the RT-PCR for Kir6.1 and Kir6.2. Lanes 3 and 4 in FIGS. 7A and7B show the RT-PCR for insulinoma cells. Lanes 5 and 6 show the RT-PCRfor reactive astrocytes. Lane 1 in FIGS. 7A and 7B represents laddersize markers; Lane 2 in FIGS. 7A and 7B is a blank control. In FIG. 7A,lanes 3 and 4 show the SUR1 and SUR2 experiments, respectively, ininsulinoma cells. Insulinoma cells are known to express SUR1, but notSUR2. Lanes 5 and 6 in FIG. 7A show the SUR1 and SUR2 experiments inreactive astrocytes, respectively. FIG. 7A shows that SUR1 mRNA ispresent in reactive astrocytes, as well as in the control insulinomacells. SUR2 is absent in both cell types. In FIG. 7B, lanes 3 and 4 showthe Kir6.1 and Kir6.2 experiments in insulinoma cells, respectively.Kir6.1 is present in insulinoma cells, but Kir6.2 is not. Kir6 is thepotassium channel associated with SUR1 in insulinoma cells. Lane 5 and 6in FIG. 7B show that neither Kir6.1 nor Kir6.2 is present in reactiveastrocytes. Therefore, reactive astrocytes express SUR1 mRNA, but Kir6.1and Kir6.2 mRNA is absent from the cells.

The presence of SUR1 in reactive astrocytes combined with the regulationof the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel in astrocytes by SUR antagonists indicatesthat SUR regulates the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention.

Example 8 Tryptic Digests

A characteristic feature of SUR-regulated K A˜function is that trypticdigestion of the cytoplasmic face of the channel, but not itsextracellular face causes loss of inhibition by sulfonylureas, withoutaltering sensitivity to ATP and without changing the biophysicalproperties of the channel. The effect of trypsin on NC_(Ca-ATP) functionis shown in FIG. 8. Under control conditions, channel activity in theinside-out patch configuration is strongly inhibited by 1 pMglibenclamide. Exposure to 100 pg/ml trypsin on the cytoplasmic side ofthe membrane for 3 minutes yields a patch that still exhibits strongchannel activity, but that channel activity is completely unaffected byglibenclamide. After such trypsin treatment of the cytoplasmic side, thebiophysical properties of the channel, including open channelconductance, open channel times, Ca²⁺-mediated activation are unchanged,and the channel still maintains its typical sensitivity to ATP. Bycontrast, exposure of the extracellular side of the membrane has noeffect on glibenclamide inhibition. These trypsin digest data on theNCCa-An channel of the present invention provide additional supportingevidence that SUR1 is involved in regulation of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel,because the results compare to previous findings from SUR1-regulatedK_(ATP) channels. Linkage of a SUR to a non-selective ATP sensitivecation channel, has not been shown previously.

Assays for Compounds or Compositions that Block NC_(Ca-ATP) Channel andInhibit Neural Cell Swelling

Example 9 Effects of Sulfonylurea Compounds

Sulfonylurea compounds are known to modulate the sulfonylurea receptor.A sulfonylurea receptor is generally associated with K_(ATP) channels asa regulatory component, and is found in various tissues, including ratNRAs. Notably, the K_(ATP) channels Kir6.1 and Kir6.2 are not present inrat NRAs (FIG. 7B). It is possible to activate the NC_(Ca-ATP) channelwith SUR ligand diazoxide in outside-out patches (FIGS. 9A and 9B). NaN₃does not elicit channel activity in isolated membrane patches,indicating that it works via ATP depletion rather than any direct effecton the channel.

Example 10 In Vitro Assays for Determining Dose-Dependent Blockage ofthe NC_(Ca-ATP) Channel

SUR1 blocking compounds, such as glibenclamide and tolbutamide, areknown to have an inhibitory effect on K_(ATP) channels. h oneembodiment, the present invention arrives at the objects of theinvention by providing a method in which the direct inhibitory effect ofglibenclamide and tolbutamide on NC_(Ca-ATP) channels is determined(FIGS. 10 and 11). Inside-out patches are used to show the inhibitoryeffect of sulfonylureas. To ensure that no K+ channel, particularlyK_(ATP) is contributing to patch current, Cs+ is used as the chargecarrier. Channel activity is profoundly diminished by the addition of 10μM glibenclamide (FIGS. 10A at b), and the activity is shown to be dueto a 35 pS cation channel, which is consistent with the NC_(Ca-ATP)channel of the present invention (FIG. 10C). Another sulfonylurea,tolbutamide, is also shown to inhibit NC_(Ca-ATP) channel activity(FIGS. 11A and 11B). AS shown in FIG. 11 B, the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel isblocked by the sulfonylureas in a dose-dependent manner. Withtolbutamide, half maximum inhibition (EC₅₀) is observed at 16.1 μM witha Hill coefficient of 1.3, and channel activity is completely lost atconcentrations>300 μM. With glibenclamide, EC₅₀ is observed at 48 μMwith a Hill coefficient of 1.2. The sensitivity of the NC_(Ca-ATP)channel of the present invention to blocking in NRAs with both of thesesulfonylurea compounds corresponds closely to that reported inpancreatic p cells and in expression systems with SUR1, but not SUE.

This in vitro assay for determining the concentration of the testcompound which achieves a half-maximal inhibition of channel activitymay be used to formulate dose in animal models to achieve. a circulatingplasma concentration range.

Example 11 Mechanism of Channel Regulation by Sulfonylureas

The NC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention exhibits two openstates, with a shorter and a longer dwell time, each less than 10 ms.FIG. 12 shows data from a patch exhibiting an open channel probability(n·Po) of 0.63, with open dwell time values τ₀₋₁ τ₀₋₂ and of 1.9 and 8.2ms. After successive application of 3 μM tolbutamide (FIGS. 12B and 12E)and 30 μM tolbutamide (FIGS. 12C and 12F), n·Po decreased to 0.44 and0.09, respectively, but the open dwell time values are not appreciablyaffected by the drug. Closed channel dwell times are increased induration and frequency by tolbutamide (FIGS. 12H and 12I). Thus, thechannel of the present inventions exhibits a form of channel inhibitionin which the blocking compound had no effect on open channel dwell timesand a progressive increase in long closures. This form of channelinhibition is similar to that produced by sulfonylureas acting on theK_(ATP) channel in pancreatic β cells. See, Gillis et. al., 1989;Babeenko et. al., 1999).

Example 12

Application of 100 μM of the SUR-activator diazoxide activates the 35pSchannel of the present invention, causing weak inward rectification incell-attached patches (FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C). To determine the type ofS U R affecting activation of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the presentinvention, experiments are conducted using sulfonylurea compounds thatpreferentially activate SUR 2 over SUR1, namely cromakalin, andpinacidil. Both cromakalin and pinacidil had no effect on theNC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention, which is consistent withother data described herein indicating that SUR1 is associated with theNC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention, and activation of thechannel is not mediated by SUR2.

Example 13 SUR-Mediated Cell Swelling

After addition of NaN₃ to deplete ATP in cells, cell blebbing typicallybecomes apparent in 7-10 minutes. Diazoxide is an SUR1 agonist or SUR1activator. When diazoxide alone is added to the cells, blebbing occurseven without ATP depletion, Diazoxide, therefore, opens the channeldirectly without ATP depletion by activating SUR1. However, when cellsare pretreated with glibenclamide, addition of NaN₃ does not causeblebbing, even after 30 minutes. Thus, activation of NC_(Ca-ATP) channelby ATP depletion or by the channel opener, diazoxide, can result inblebbing and swelling of NRAs, and that swelling can be prevented byblocking the channel with glibenclamide. ATP depletion by Na azide canresult in necrotic cell death of NRAs. This finding accords with thedata described herein that glibenclamide protects from the opening ofthe NC_(Ca-ATP) channel following ATP depletion, and that opening ofthis channel is responsible for cell blebbing.

The antagonist used in the methods of the present invention includes acompound that interferes with NC_(Ca-ATP) function. Typically, theeffect of an antagonist is observed as a blocking of NC_(Ca-ATP) currentin conditions under which the channel has been activated and current canbe measured in the absence of the antagonist.

In addition to SUR1 specific sulfonylurea compounds, agents that blockSUR1, also include compounds that are structurally unrelated tosulfonylureas. Such SUR1 blockers include a class of insulinsecretagogues compounds that bind to the SUR, which were identified anddeveloped for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The benzamidoderivatives: repaglinide, nateglinide, and meglitinide represent onesuch class of insulin secretagogues, that bind to the SUR. Nateglinideis an amino acid derivative. Also, imidazoline derivatives have beenidentified that interact with the sulfonylurea receptor (SUR) 1 subunitsuch as midaglizole (KAD-1229), LY397364 and LY389382.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, compounds thatpreferentially block SUR1, but not SUR2, are used in the method of thepresent invention. Such compounds include tolbutamide and gliclazide.The following compounds block both SUR1 and SUR2: glibenclamide,glimepiride, repaglinide, and meglitinide. In yet another embodiment ofthe method of the present invention, administration is combined withMgADP, which has been show to produce an apparent increase ofsulfonylurea efficacy on channels containing SUR1, but not SUR2.

Example 14

To determine whether NC_(Ca-ATP) activation by ATP depletion initiatesnecrosis of reactive astrocytes that express this channel, studies areconducted to determine if glibenclamide is capable of protectingreactive astrocytes from cell death by inhibiting NC_(Ca-ATP) channelactivity via its action on SUR1. Two types of cell death, apoptosis andnecrosis, are assessed following ATP depletion.

Thus, activation of NC_(Ca-ATP) channel is responsible for necroticdeath of NRAs following ATP depletion, and that glibenclamide canprevent this form of cell death.

In this Example, the preparation of freshly isolated NRAs was furtherpurified by removal of RBCs, as described herein to provide a cellpopulation having <1% RBCs. Over 95% of cells had resting potentialsnear EK, suggesting that the enzymatic dissociation method had notappreciably harmed the cells. Over 95% of cells are positive for theastrocyte marker, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) as determinedby immunofluorescence. When examined by phase microscopy, the NRAs areof various sizes, ranging from 11-45 pms in diameter, some of which arephase bright and others are phase dark. A subgroup of phase bright cellshad multiple short but distinct cell processes that are shorter than thecell soma. In this Example, only larger (≈30 μm diameter), phase brightcells with short processes (<1 cell length) are studied. This populationof NRAs reliably express the NC_(Ca-ATP) channels.

Experiments are conducted at room temperature (22-25° C.) within 24 hrof cell isolation. An aliquot of cells is placed on a chamber slide(LAB-TEK, Naperville, Ill.) filled with extracellular bath solutioncontaining (a): NaCl 130, KCl 10, CaCl₂ 1, MgCl₂ 1, HEPES 32.5, glucose12.5, pH 7.4. After viable cells adhered to the surface, any residualdebris not previously removed by centrifugation is washed away byflushing with excess solution. Cells are subjected to ATP depletion by 1mM Na azide to activate (open) the NC_(Ca-ATP) channels, and thenincubated with glibenclamide (1 μM).

Thereafter, the cells are examined by propidium iodide (PI) staining forevidence of cellular membrane permeabilization, an indication of earlyoncotic or necrotic cell death. See, Barros et al., 2001. The cells arealso examined by fluorescein-tagged annexin V binding for evidence ofexternalization of the phosphoaminolipid phosphotidylserine from theinner face of the plasma membrane to the outer surface, an earlyindication of apoptosis. See, Clodi et al., 2000; Rucker-Martin et al.,1999. Staining procedure are conducting according to manufacturedirections (Vybrant Apoptosis Assay Kit 2, Molecular Probes). Slides aremounted using ProLong antifade mounting medium (Molecular Probes).Signals are visualized using a Nikon Diaphot epifluorescent microscope(Leitz Wetzlar). Images are captured and stored using a SenSys digitalcamera (Roper Scientific Inc.) and IPLab software (version 3.0;Scanalytics Inc.). Annexin V-positive cells or PI-positive cells arecounted in 20 individual fields using a 20× objective lens. Mean valuesof positive cells in 20 fields for various treatment groups are comparedusing ANOVA Pairwise multiple comparisons, with p<0.05 being consideredas indicating a significant difference.

The fluorescence microscopy photos shown in FIG. 15A show that underbaseline (control) conditions, both annexin V-positive and PI-positivecells (photos a and d, respectively) are rare in the cell isolates.After a 10-min incubation with Na aide (1 mM), the number of PI-positivecells increased substantially (p<0.05) (FIG. 15A at photo b and FIG.15B). This indicates that ATP depletion triggers necrotic death in thesecells. By contrast, Na azide treatment caused the number of annexinV-positive cells to increase slightly; the increase not being staticallysignificant (p>0.05) (FIG. 15A at photo e and FIG. 15C). This indicatesthat apoptotic death was not a major endpoint of ATP depletion in thesecells.

Pretreatment of cells with glibenclamide (1 μM) at the time ofadministration of Na aide dramatically decreased the number ofPI-positive cells (p<0.05; FIG. 15A at photo c and FIG. 15B), indicatingsignificant protection from necrotic death following ATP depletion. Thenumber of NRAs undergoing apoptotic death also decreased withglibenclamide, as indicated by annexin V labeling (FIG. 15A at photo fand FIG. 15C), but values for this group were not significantlydifferent.

This data indicate that the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel is involved in themechanism of the necrotic cell death of reactive astrocytes. ThisExample shows that necrotic, rather than apoptotic, cell death is theprincipal endpoint of ATP depletion in these cells. Therefore, ATPdepletion by Na azide initiates cell death by removal of the ATP blockof the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, thus initiating oncotic cell swelling.Involvement of this channel in oncotic cell swelling is confirmed byshowing that necrotic death can also be induced by diazoxide, thechannel opener that activates the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel in these cells,and could be blocked by glybenclamide, which prevents opening of theNC_(Ca-ATP) channel. The involvement of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel in celldeath of reactive astrocytes provides a mechanism and target of death inthese cells, as well as the importance of blocking the NC_(Ca-ATP)channel to prevent the death of reactive astrocytes, which occurs intraumatic brain injury.

Example 15 In Vitro Assays for Determining a Test Compound Ability toProvide Dose-Dependent Blockage of the NC_(Ca-ATP) Channel

NC_(Ca-ATP) channels blocking compounds can be identified by a method inwhich the direct inhibitory effect of the test compound on NC_(Ca-ATP)channels is determined. Inside-out patches are used to show theinhibitory effect of the compound. To ensure that no K⁺ channel,particularly K_(ATP) is contributing to patch current, Cs+ is used asthe charge carrier. Compounds that profoundly diminish channel activity,and the activity is shown to be due to a 35 pS cation channel, such acompound is identified as a compound that blocks the NC_(Ca-ATP)channels and is capable of inhibiting neuronal cell swelling and brainswelling. Varying concentrations of the compound are used to determinewhether the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel is blocked by the compound in adose-dependent manner. The concentration at which half maximuminhibition (EC₅₀) is observed and the concentration at which channelactivity is completely lost are determined. The sensitivity of theNC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention to blocking in NRAs withthe test compound can be compared. This in vitro assay for determiningthe concentration of the test compound which achieves a half-maximalinhibition of channel activity may be used to formulate dose in animalmodels to achieve a circulating plasma concentration range.

Example 16 In Vivo Assays for Determining Dose-Dependent Blockage of theNC_(Ca-ATP) Channel

The concentration of the test compound which achieves a half-maximalinhibition of channel activity is used to formulate dose in animalmodels to achieve a circulating plasma concentration range. The dose oftest compound that achieves a circulating plasma concentration rangecalculated by methods known in the art is administered to an animalhaving brain injury or cerebral ischemia. To determine whether the testcompound prevents, inhibits or diminishes brain swelling, the epiduralpressure and/or intracranial pressure of the animal is measured, such asby using a microballoon, to quantitatively monitor brain swelling. Also,the swelling can be monitored by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Threedifferent studies start administration prior to, at the time of, orafter the brain injury. A compound that provided diminishes brainswelling, as compared to controls, is identified as a compound capableof inhibiting neuronal cell swelling and brain swelling. Varyingconcentrations of the compound are used to determine whether thecompound delivers efficacy in a dose-dependent manner. The dose at whichhalf maximum inhibition is observed and the concentration at which brainswelling is most quickly alleviated are determined. Formulations areproduced comprising the optimal effective dose of the test compound forpreventing, inhibiting, or diminishing brain swelling, along with apharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Summary of NC_(Ca-ATP) Channel Characteristics

The characteristics of cells expressing and composition containing theNC_(Ca-ATP) channel of the present invention are summarized in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Properties of cells and membrane compositions containing theNC_(Ca-ATP) Membrane Preparation derived Channel of the Present fromfreshly isolated native reactive Invention Reactive Astrocytesastrocytes Monovalent cation permeable? Yes: Yes: NA+ NA+ K+ K+ Li+ Li+Rb+ Rb+ Cs+ Cs+ (NA⁺≈K⁺≈Li+≈Rb+) (NA⁺≈K⁺≈Li+≈Rb+) Anion permeable? No NoDivalent cation permeable? No No Compounds blocking channel SUR1antagonists SUR1 ANTAGONISTS activity Channel opening Intracell. ATPINTRACELL. ATP D Requires: depletion EPLETION Intracell. Mg²⁺ INTRACELL.MG²⁺ Single Channel Conductance  ~35 pS  ~35 PS Activation <1.0 μM <1.0MM [Ca²⁺] [ATP]₁ EC₅₀ (um) 0.79 μM 0.79 MM ADP No channel effect Nochannel effect AMP Pore radius 0.41 0.41 (nm)

Methods of the Present Invention

The present invention provides a previously unknown ion channel found inmammalian neural cells that plays a role in cell swelling. The presentinvention further provides a method of screening for antagonists to thechannel and a new use for antagonists to the channel, includingsulfonylurea compounds such as glibenclamide and tolbutamide, as atreatment for brain swelling in mammals.

Methods of the present invention for identifying compounds that interactwith, (e.g., bind to, open, block) the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel and employ(i) cell based assays and/or (ii) non-cell based assay systems. Suchcompounds may act as antagonists or agonists of NCCa-Ap channelactivity. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention,antagonists that block and/or inhibit the permeability of theNC_(Ca-ATP) channel are utilized in methods for treating neural cellswelling and/or brain swelling.

The cell based assays use neural cells that express the NC_(Ca-ATP)channel, preferably a functional NC_(Ca-ATP) channel; the preferredcells are “MS. The non-cell based assay systems include membranepreparations that express the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, preferably afunctional NC_(Ca-ATP) channel. Cell-based assays include, but are notlimited to, compound binding assays, microscopic observation of cellstatus (normal, blebbing, swelling), and measuring channel currents bothbefore and after exposure to compound. Compositions comprising membranepreparations expressing the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel may be used to identifycompounds that interact with, bind to, block or open the NC_(Ca-ATP)channel or SUR1. The term “expressing the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel” or“expresses the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel” means having a functionalNC_(Ca-ATP) channel. The term “functional NC_(Ca-ATP) channel” as usedherein means an NC_(Ca-ATP) channel capable of being detected. Onepreferred method of detecting the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel is by determining,in vitro or in vivo, whether the channel is open, closed and/or blocked.

For example, in a typical experiment using a membrane preparation, NRAsthat express the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel are used to produce the membranepreparation. Methods for producing membranes from whole cells andtissues are well known in the art. One such method produces purifiedcell membranes in the form of a purified microsomal fraction isolatedfrom disrupted cells or a tissue sample by discontinuous sucrosegradient centrifugation. Also included are membranes comprised ofcell-attached patches, inside-out patches, or outside-out patches. Oneexample of a tissue sample expressing NC_(Ca-ATP) channels is braintissue adjacent to brain injury.

The membranes preparations are used in a number of assays, including,but not limited to measuring channel currents, both before and afterexposure to compound; and in vitro binding assays. The experimentalconditions for such assays to determine and quantify the status of theNC_(Ca-ATP) channel are described throughout the instant specification,including binding assay conditions, bath compositions, pipettesolutions, concentrations of ATP and Ca²⁺ required, membrane voltage,membrane potentials, compound quantity ranges, controls, etc.

Binding assays and competitive binding assays employ a labeled ligand orantagonist of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel. In one such experiment, labeledGlibenclamide, such as FITC-conjugated glibenclamide or radioactivelylabeled glibenclamide is bound to the membranes and assayed for specificactivity; specific binding is determined by comparison with bindingassays performed in the presence of excess unlabelled antagonist.

In one method for identifying NC_(Ca-ATP) channel blockers, membranesare incubated with a labeled compound shown to block this channel, ineither the presence or absence of test compound. Compounds that blockthe NC_(Ca-ATP) channel and compete with the labeled compound forbinding to the membranes will have a reduced the signal, as compared tothe vehicle control samples. In another aspect of the invention thescreens may be designed to identify compounds that compete with theinteraction between NC_(Ca-ATP) channel and a known (previouslyidentified herein) NC_(Ca-ATP) channel antagonist or SUR1 antagonist,such as glibenclamide. In such screens, the known NC_(Ca-ATP) channelantagonist or SUR1 antagonist is labeled and the test compounds are thenassayed for their ability to compete with or antagonize the binding ofthe labeled antagonist.

The assays described herein can be used to identify compounds thatmodulate or affect NC_(Ca-ATP) channel activity. For example, compoundsthat affect NC_(Ca-ATP) channel activity include but are not limited tocompounds that bind to the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel or SUR1, inhibit bindingof identified blockers or ligands (such as glibenclamide), and eitheropen/activate the channel (agonists) or block/inhibit the channel(antagonists).

Assays described can also identify compounds that modulate neural cellswelling (e.g., compounds which affect other events involved in neuralcell swelling that are activated by ligand binding to or blocking of theNC_(Ca-ATP) channel).

Compounds Screened in Accordance with the Invention

The compounds for screening in accordance with the invention include,but are not limited to organic compounds, peptides, antibodies andfragments thereof, peptidomimetics, that bind to the NC_(Ca-ATP) channeland either open the channel (i.e., agonists) or block the channel (i.e.,antagonists). For use in the treatment of neural cell swelling or brainswelling, compounds that block the channel are preferred. Agonists thatopen or maintain the channel in the open state include peptides,antibodies or fragments thereof, arid other organic compounds thatinclude the SUR1 subunit of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel (or a portionthereof) and bind to and “neutralize” circulating ligand for SUR1.

With reference to screening of compounds that affect the NC_(Ca-ATP)channel, libraries of known compounds can be screened, including naturalproducts or synthetic chemicals, and biologically active materials,including proteins, for compounds which are inhibitors or activators.Preferably, such a compound is an NC_(Ca-ATP) antagonist, which includesan NC_(Ca-ATP) channel inhibitor, an NC_(Ca-ATP) channel blocker, a SUR1antagonist, SUR1 inhibitor, and/or a compound capable of reducing themagnitude of membrane current through the channel.

Compounds may include, but are not limited to, small organic orinorganic molecules, compounds available in compound libraries, peptidessuch as, for example, soluble peptides, including but not limited tomembers of random peptide libraries; (see, e.g., Lam, K. S. et al.,1991, Nature 354: 82-84; Houghten, R. et al., 1991, Nature 354: 84-86),and combinatorial chemistry-derived molecular library made of D- and/orL-configuration amino acids, phosphopeptides (including, but not limitedto, members of random or partially degenerate, directed phosphopeptidelibraries; see, e.g., Songyang, Z. et al., 1993, Cell 72: 767-778),antibodies (including, but not limited to, polyclonal, monoclonal,humanized, anti-idiotypic, chimeric or single chain antibodies, and FAb,F(ab′).sub.2 and FAb expression library fragments, and epitope-bindingfragments thereof).

Other compounds which can be screened in accordance with the inventioninclude but are not limited to small organic molecules that are able tocross the blood-brain barrier, gain entry into an appropriate neuralcell and affect the expression of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel gene or someother gene involved in the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel activity (e.g., byinteracting with the regulatory region or transcription factors involvedin gene expression); or such compounds that affect the activity of theNC_(Ca-ATP) channel or the activity of some other intracellular factorinvolved in the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel activity.

Computer modeling and searching technologies permit identification ofcompounds, or the improvement of already identified compounds, that canmodulate NC_(Ca-ATP) channel activity or expression. Having identifiedsuch a compound or composition, the active sites or regions areidentified. Such active sites might typically be ligand binding sites.The active site can be identified using methods known in the artincluding, for example, from study of complexes of the relevant compoundor composition with other ligands, from the amino acid sequences ofpeptides, or from the nucleotide sequences of nucleic acids. Chemical orX-ray crystallographic methods can be used to study complexes of therelevant compound to find the active site. The three dimensionalgeometric structure of the active site is determined. This can be doneby known methods, including X-ray crystallography, which can determine acomplete molecular structure. On the other hand, solid or liquid phaseNMR can be used to determine certain intra-molecular distances. Anyother experimental method of structure determination can be used toobtain partial or complete geometric structures. The geometricstructures may be measured with a complexed ligand, natural which mayincrease the accuracy of the active site structure determined.

If an incomplete or insufficiently accurate structure is determined, themethods of computer based numerical modeling can be used to complete thestructure or improve its accuracy. Any recognized modeling method may beused, including parameterized models specific to particular biopolymerssuch as proteins or nucleic acids, molecular dynamics models based oncomputing molecular motions, statistical mechanics models based onthermal ensembles, or combined models. For most types of models,standard molecular force fields, representing the forces betweenconstituent atoms and groups, are necessary, and can be selected fromforce fields known in physical chemistry. The incomplete or lessaccurate experimental structures can serve as constraints on thecomplete and more accurate structures computed by these modelingmethods.

Finally, having determined the structure of the active site, eitherexperimentally, by modeling, or by a combination, candidate modulatingcompounds can be identified by searching databases containing compoundsalong with information on their molecular structure. Such a search seekscompounds having structures that match the determined active sitestructure and that interact with the groups defining the active site.Such a search can be manual, but is preferably computer assisted. Thesecompounds found from this search are potential NC_(Ca-ATP) channelmodulating, preferably blocking, compounds.

Alternatively, these methods can be used to identify improved modulatingcompounds from an already known modulating compound or ligand. Thecomposition of the known compound can be modified and the structuraleffects of modification can be determined using the experimental andcomputer modeling methods described above applied to the newcomposition. The altered structure is then compared to the active sitestructure of the compound to determine if an improved fit or interactionresults. In this manner systematic variations in composition, such as byvarying side groups, can be quickly evaluated to obtain modifiedmodulating compounds or ligands of improved specificity or activity.

Examples of molecular modeling systems are the CHARMm and QUANTAprograms (Polygen Corporation, Waltham, Mass.). CHARMm performs theenergy minimization and molecular dynamics functions. QUANTA performsthe construction, graphic modeling and analysis of molecular structure.QUANTA allows interactive construction, modification, visualization, andanalysis of the behavior of molecules with each other. A number ofarticles review computer modeling of drugs interactive with specificproteins, such as Rotivinen, et al.) 1988, Acta Pharmaceutical Fennica97: 159-166); Ripka (1988 New Scientist 54-57); McKinaly and Rossmann (1989, Annu. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 29: 11 1-122); Perry and Davies,OSAR: Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships in Drug Design pp.189-193 Alan R. Liss, Inc. 1989; Lewis and Dean (1989, Proc. R. SOC.Lond. 236: 125-140 and 141-162); and, with respect to a model receptorfor nucleic acid components, Askew, et al. (1989, J. Am. Chem. SOC. 111: 1082-1 090). Other computer programs that screen and graphicallydepict chemicals are available from companies such as BioDesign, Inc.(Pasadena, Calif.), Allelix, Inc. (Mississauga, Ontario, Canada), andHypercube, Inc. (Cambridge, Ontario). Although these are primarilydesigned for application to drugs specific to particular proteins, theycan be adapted to design of drugs specific to regions of DNA or RNA,once that region is identified.

Compounds identified via assays such as those described herein may beuseful, for example, in elaborating the biological function of theNC_(Ca-ATP) channel and for relief of brain swelling.

Assays for testing the efficacy of compounds identified in the cellularscreen can be tested in animal model systems for brain swelling. Suchanimal models may be used as test substrates for the identification ofdrugs, pharmaceuticals, therapies and interventions which may beeffective in treating brain swelling. For example, animal models ofbrain swelling, such as brain injury, may be exposed to a compound,suspected of exhibiting an ability to inhibit brain swelling, at asufficient concentration and for a time sufficient to elicit such aninhibition of brain swelling in the exposed animals. The response of theanimals to the exposure may be monitored using visual means (e.g.,radiological, CAT, MRI), measurement of intracranial pressure, and/orthe reversal of symptoms associated with brain swelling. With regard tointervention, any treatments which reverse any aspect of brainswelling-associated symptoms should be considered as candidates forbrain swelling therapeutic intervention. Dosages of test agents may bedetermined by deriving dose-response curves, as discussed herein.

Accordingly, the present invention is useful in the treatment oralleviation of neural cell swelling and death and brain swelling,especially those brain insults related to traumatic brain injury,central or peripheral nervous system damage, cerebral ischemia, such asstroke, or complications involving and/or stemming from edema, injury,or trauma. Such damage or complications may be characterized by anapparent brain damage or aberration, the symptoms of which can bereduced by the methods of the present invention including theadministration of an effective amount of the active compounds orsubstances described herein. According to a specific embodiment of thepresent invention the administration of effective amounts of the activecompound can block the channel, which if remained open leads to neuralcell swelling and cell death. A variety of antagonists to SUR1 aresuitable for blocking the channel. Examples of suitable SUR1 antagonistsinclude, but are not limited to glibenclamide, tolbutamide, repaglinide,nateglinide, meglitinide, midaglizole, LY397364, LY3 89382, gliclazide,glimepiride, MgADP, and combinations thereof. In a preferred embodimentof the invention the SUR1 antagonists is selected from the groupconsisting of glibenclamide and tolbutamide. Still other therapeutic“strategies” for preventing neural cell swelling and cell death can beadopted including, but not limited to methods that maintain the neuralcell in a polarized state and methods that prevent strongdepolarization.

Example 17 Additional Mechanisms for Maintaining NRAS in a PolarizedState

When reactive astrocytes are strongly depolarized due to opening of theNC_(Ca-ATP) channel, they undergo blebbing and swelling and eventuallysustain necrotic cell death. As stated above, when reactive astrocytesare strongly depolarized due to opening of a non-selective channel thatis sensitive to Ca²⁺ and ATP (NC_(Ca-ATP) channel), they undergoblebbing and swelling and eventually sustain necrotic cell death. Thedeath of these reactive astrocytes can be prevented if strongdepolarization can be prevented, in other words, if the cells can bemaintained in a polarized state.

One potential way of maintaining the NRAs in a polarized state is toopen the Kir2.3 channel. NRAs are exposed to the Kir2.3 channel opener,Tenidap, to maintain Kir2.3 channels open. Native reactive astrocytesfreshly harvested from adult rat brains after injury are exposed toTenidap to evaluate the drug's ability to open the Kir2.3 channel inthese cells. Preferably, type 1 reactive (R1) astrocytes are harvestedand used in this assay. One of the subtypes of reactive astrocytes isthe type R1 astmcyte. Type R1 astrocytes comprise the largest populationof recoverable astrocytes at the site of brain injury. They arecharacteristically located in the region of tissue surrounding theinjury site, many of which are found to have migrated into the injurysite itself. See, Perillan, et al., 1999.

The reactive astrocytes that are part of the cellular response to TBIand stroke are comprised of at least two subtypes. One of the subtypesof reactive astrocytes is the type R1 astrocyte. Type R1 astrocytescomprise the largest population of recoverable astrocytes at the site ofbrain injury. They are characteristically located in the region oftissue surrounding the injury site, with many of these cells also beingfound to have migrated into the injury site itself. See, Perillan, etal. 1999.

Type R1 astrocytes are the predominant type of reactive astrocyte in theNRA preparations. Type R1 astrocytes express two critically importantion channels in their cell membrane: (a) the Kir2.3 channel, which ispresent in cultured as well as freshly isolated cells; and (b) theNC_(Ca-ATP) channel, which is present only in freshly isolated reactiveastrocytes and lost shortly after culturing. The Kir2.3 is an inwardrectifier channel that is critically important for maintaining the cellpolarized to a normal resting potential near the potassium reversalpotential (≈−75 mV). When this channel is inactivated or inhibited, thecell depolarizes to a potential near the chloride reversal potential(≈−25 mV). Characteristic features of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel are: 1) itis a non-selective cation channels that allows passage of Nay K andother monovalent cations quite readily; 2) it is activated by anincrease in intracellular calcium, and/or by a decrease in intracellularATP; and 3) it is regulated by sulfonylurea receptor type 1 (SUR1). SUR1had been considered to be associated exclusively with K_(ATP) channels,such as those found in pancreatic cells.

Opening of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel following ATP depletion, as withischemia or hypoxia, causes depolarization of the cell due to influx ofNa. This influx of Na increases the osmotic load within the cell, and asa result, H₂0 enters the cell to equilibrate the osmotic load. Theresult is an excess of Na and H₂0 intracellularly, a pathologicalresponse that produces cell blebbing and cell swelling and that is knownas cytotoxic edema. Left unchecked, this pathological responseeventually leads to cell death. As disclosed herein, this cell death ismostly necrotic cell death but to a lesser extent, apoptotic cell deathas well.

A number of approaches may be used to meliorate brain swelling due tocytotoxic edema. One currently used treatment for treating patients inrelevant clinical situations is based on increasing extracellularosmolarity to reduce the driving force for influx of H₂0. This strategyalso reduces blebbing in isolated cells.

A more specific strategy to reduce cytotoxic edema is inactivating orblocking the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel that is primarily responsible for theinflux of Na that draws H₂0 into the cell and that actually causescytotoxic edema. One highly selective approach to inactivating thischannel is to exploit the unique relationship between the channel andthe controlling regulatory subunit, SUR1. A variety of drugs have beendeveloped that interact with SUR1 in pancreatic p cells to block theK_(ATP) channel in those cells and thereby treat diabetes. Some of thesedrugs belong to the class of agents called sulfonylureas. As describedherein, drugs that block the K_(ATP) channel, such as glybenclamide andtolbutamide, are highly effective at blocking the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel intype R1 astrocytes. Drugs capable NC_(Ca-ATP) channel blocking in NRAs(a) prevents cell blebbing in response to ATP depletion, (b)significantly reduces cell death following ATP depletion. Also, the useof glybenclamide to treat brain swelling in an animal suffering fromstroke or brain injury is described herein.

Yet another strategy to oppose the effect of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel andreduce cytotoxic edema would be to counteract depolarization of the cellthat accompanies opening of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel. One way toaccomplish this is to enhance opening of the Kir2.3 channels that arealso present in these cells. An anti-inflammatory compound, Tenidap, isan opener of Kir2.3 channels. See, Popp et al., 1992; Liu et al., 2002.[OO1SO] Tenidap is evaluated for its ability to reduce cell blebbing andswelling and necrotic cell death in response to ATP depletion in theisolated cells as well as in situ in injured rat brain. To assesswhether Tenidap opens the Kir2.3 channels in type R1 astrocytes, usingmethods similar to those described herein for evaluating the status ofthe NC_(Ca-ATP) channel. Results from such experiments that show Tenidapto open Kir2.3 channels in type R1 astrocytes, and reduce cell blebbingand cell death in response to ATP depletion would indicate theusefulness of Tenidap in treating brain swelling and cytotoxic edemaresulting from TBI or cerebral ischemia. The effective amount of Tenidapis that amount capable of reducing brain swelling or cerebral ischemiadue to the drug's ability to inhibit neural cell swelling and necroticcell death.

SUR1 blockers are likely to be the most specific, reliable provide thefewest untoward side effects. Further, a combination of treatmentsincluding use of osmotic diuretics, NC_(Ca-ATP) channel blockers suchglybenclamide and Kir2.3 channel openers such as Tenidap may providebetter efficacy in ameliorating cytotoxic edema and reducing morbidityand mortality in brain injury and stroke.

It is therefore another object of the present invention to provide amethod for identifying compounds that inhibit neural cell swelling,comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with a composition comprisingthe Kir2.3 channel, and (b) determining whether the test compound opensthe Kir2.3 channel, wherein a test compound that opens the Kir2.3channel is identified as a compound for inhibiting neural cell swelling.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a methodfor a method for identifying compounds that inhibit brain swelling,comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with a composition comprisingthe Kir2.3 channel, and (b) determining whether the test compound opensthe Kir2.3 channel, wherein a test compound that opens the Kir2.3channel is identified as a compound for inhibiting brain swelling.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a methodfor a method for identifying compounds that inhibit neural cell swellingand/or brain swelling in an animal, comprising: (a) contacting a testcompound with a composition comprising the Kir2.3 channel, and (b)determining whether the test compound opens the Kir2.3 channel, whereina test compound that opens the Kir2.3 channel is identified as acompound for inhibiting neural cell swelling and/or brain swelling in ananimal.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method foridentifying compounds that prevent, inhibit and/or alleviate brainswelling in a subject, comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with acomposition comprising the Kir2.3 channel, and determining whether thetest compound opens the Kir2.3 channel, and (b) administering the testcompound to a subject having a brain injury or cerebral ischemia, anddetermining whether the test compound prevents, inhibits and/oralleviates brain swelling in the subject, wherein test compounds thatopen the Kir2.3 channel are identified as compounds that inhibit brainswelling.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method foridentifying compounds that inhibit neural cell swelling in an animal,comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with a composition comprisingthe Kir2.3 channel, and determining whether the test compound opens theKir2.3 channel, and (b) administering the test compound to an animalhaving a brain injury or cerebral ischemia, and determining whether thetest compound inhibits brain swelling of the treated animal, whereintest compounds that inhibit brain swelling are identified as compoundsthat inhibit neural cell swelling in an animal.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method ofpreventing neural cell swelling in the brain of a subject, said methodcomprising administering to the subject a formulation containing aneffective amount of a compound that opens the Kir2.3 channel and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

It is a further objection of the present invention to provide a methodof alleviating the negative effects of traumatic brain injury orcerebral ischemia stemming from neural cell swelling in a subject,comprising administering to the subject a formulation comprising aneffective amount of a compound that opens the Kir2.3 channel and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In the object of the presentinvention that provide methods assessing the effect of a compound on theKir2.3 channel, a preferred compound is Tenidap. For example theformulation may provide a daily dose of Tenidap that is from about 10mg/day to about 500 mg/day, or, when administered directly to the brainthe daily dose of Tenidap is from about 500 mg/day to 1.5 gms/day orgreater.

Pharmaceutical Formulations and Methods of Treating Neural Cell Swellingand Brain Swelling Compositions of the Present Invention

The present invention also contemplates therapeutic methods employingcompositions comprising the active substances disclosed herein.Preferably, these compositions include pharmaceutical compositionscomprising a therapeutically effective amount of one or more of theactive compounds or substances along with a pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier.

As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable” carrier means anon-toxic, inert solid, semi-solid liquid filler, diluent, encapsulatingmaterial, formulation auxiliary of any type, or simply a sterile aqueousmedium, such as saline. Some examples of the materials that can serve aspharmaceutically acceptable carriers are sugars, such as lactose,glucose and sucrose, starches such as corn starch and potato starch,cellulose and its derivatives such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose,ethyl cellulose and cellulose acetate; powdered tragacanth; malt,gelatin, talc; excipients such as cocoa butter and suppository waxes;oils such as peanut oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, sesame oil,olive oil, corn oil and soybean oil; glycols, such as propylene glycol,polyols such as glycerin, sorbitol, mannitol and polyethylene glycol;esters such as ethyl oleate and ethyl laurate, agar; buffering agentssuch as magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide; alginic acid;pyrogen-free water; isotonic saline, Ringer's solution; ethyl alcoholand phosphate buffer solutions, as well as other non-toxic compatiblesubstances used in pharmaceutical formulations.

Wetting agents, emulsifiers and lubricants such as sodium lauryl sulfateand magnesium stearate, as well as coloring agents, releasing agents,coating agents, sweetening, flavoring and perfuming agents,preservatives and antioxidants can also be present in the composition,according to the judgment of the formulator. Examples ofpharmaceutically acceptable antioxidants include, but are not limitedto, water soluble antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, cysteinehydrochloride, sodium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, sodium sulfite,and the like; oil soluble antioxidants, such as ascorbyl palmitate,butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT),lecithin, propyl gallate, aloha-tocopherol and the like; and the metalchelating agents such as citric acid, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid(EDTA), sorbitol, tartaric acid, phosphoric acid and the like.

Dose Determinations

By a “therapeutically effective amount” or simply “effective amount” ofan active compound, such as glibenclamide or tolbutamide, is meant asufficient amount of the compound to treat or alleviate the brainswelling at a reasonable benefit/risk ratio applicable to any medicaltreatment. It will be understood, however, that the total daily usage ofthe active compounds and compositions of the present invention will bedecided by the attending physician within the scope of sound medicaljudgment. The specific therapeutically effective dose level for anyparticular patient will depend upon a variety of factors including thedisorder being treated and the severity of the brain injury or ischemia;activity of the specific compound employed; the specific compositionemployed; the age, body weight, general health, sex and diet of thepatient; the time of administration, route of administration, and rateof excretion of the specific compound employed; the duration of thetreatment; drugs used in combination or coinciding with the specificcompound employed; and like factors well known in the medical arts.

Toxicity and therapeutic efficacy of such compounds can be determined bystandard pharmaceutical procedures in cell assays or experimentalanimals, e.g., for determining the LD50 (the dose lethal to 50% of thepopulation) and the ED50 (the dose therapeutically effective in 50% ofthe population). The dose ratio between toxic and therapeutic effects isthe therapeutic index and it can be expressed as the ratio LD50/ED50.Compounds which exhibit large therapeutic indices are preferred. Whilecompounds that exhibit toxic side effects may be used, care should betaken to design a delivery system that targets such compounds to thesite of affected tissue in order to minimize potential damage touninfected cells and, thereby, reduce side effects.

The data obtained from the cell culture assays and animal studies can beused in formulating a range of dosage for use in humans. The dosage ofsuch compounds lies preferably within a range of circulatingconcentrations that include the ED50 with little or no toxicity. Thedosage may vary within this range depending upon the dosage formemployed and the route of administration utilized. For any compound usedin the method of the invention, the therapeutically effective dose canbe estimated initially from cell based assays. A dose may be formulatedin animal models to achieve a circulating plasma concentration rangethat includes the IC50 (i.e., the concentration of the test compoundwhich achieves a half-maximal inhibition of symptoms) as determined incell culture. Such information can be used to more accurately determineuseful doses in humans. Levels in plasma may be measured, for example,by high performance liquid chromatography.

The total daily dose of the active compounds of the present inventionadministered to a subject in single or in divided doses can be inamounts, for example, from 0.01 to 25 mg/kg body weight or more usuallyfrom 0.1 to 15 mg/kg body weight. Single dose compositions may containsuch amounts or submultiples thereof to make up the daily dose. Ingeneral, treatment regimens according to the present invention compriseadministration to a human or other mammal in need of such treatment fromabout 1 mg to about 1000 mg of the active substance(s) of this inventionper day in multiple doses or in a single dose of from 1 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg,100 mg, 500 mg or 1000 mg.

In certain situations, it may be important to maintain a fairly highdose of the active agent in the blood stream of the patient,particularly early in the treatment. Such a fairly high dose may includea dose that is several times greater than its use in other indications.For example, the typical anti-diabetic dose of oral or IV glibenclamideis about 2.5 mg/kg to about 15 mg/kg per day; the typical anti-diabeticdose of oral or IV tolbutamide is about to 0.5 gm/kg to about 2.0 gm/kgper day; the typical anti-diabetic dose for oral gliclazide is about 30mg/kg to about 120 mg/kg per day; however, much larger doses may berequired to block neural cell swelling and brain swelling.

For example, in one embodiment of the present invention directed to amethod of preventing neural cell swelling in the brain of a subject byadministering to the subject a formulation containing an effectiveamount of a compound that blocks the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier; such formulations may contain fromabout 0.1 to about 100 grams of tolbutamide or from about 0.5 to about150 milligrams of glibenclamide. In another embodiment of the presentinvention directed to a method of alleviating the negative effects oftraumatic brain injury or cerebral ischemia stemming from neural cellswelling in a subject by administering to the subject a formulationcontaining an effective amount of a compound that blocks the NC_(Ca-ATP)channel and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In situations of traumatic brain injury or cerebral ischemia (such asstroke), or cerebral hypoxia, it may be important to maintain a fairlyhigh dose of the active agent to ensure delivery to the brain of thepatient, particularly early in the treatment. Hence, at least initially,it may be important to keep the dose relatively high and/or at asubstantially constant level for a given period of time, preferably, atleast about six or more hours, more preferably, at least about twelve ormore hours and, most preferably, at least about twenty-four or morehours. In situations of traumatic brain injury or cerebral ischemia(such as stroke), it may be important to maintain a fairly high dose ofthe active agent to ensure delivery to the brain of the patient,particularly early in the treatment.

When the method of the present invention is employed to treat conditionsinvolving bleeding in the brain, such as traumatic brain injury orcerebral ischemia (such as stroke), delivery via the vascular system isavailable and the compound is not necessarily required to readily crossthe blood-brain barrier.

Formulations and Administration

The compounds of the present invention may be administered alone or incombination or in concurrent therapy with other agents which affect thecentral or peripheral nervous system, particularly selected areas of thebrain.

Liquid dosage forms for oral administration may include pharmaceuticallyacceptable emulsions, microemulsions, solutions, suspensions, syrups andelixirs containing inert diluents commonly used in the art, such aswater, isotonic solutions, or saline. Such compositions may alsocomprise adjuvants, such as wetting agents; emulsifying and suspendingagents; sweetening, flavoring and perfuming agents.

Injectable preparations, for example, sterile injectable aqueous oroleaginous suspensions may be formulated according to the known artusing suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents. Thesterile injectable preparation may also be a sterile injectablesolution, suspension or emulsion in a nontoxic parenterally acceptablediluent or solvent, for example, as a solution in 1,3-butanediol. Amongthe acceptable vehicles and solvents that may be employed are water,Ringer's solution, U.S.P. and isotonic sodium chloride solution. Inaddition, sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solventor suspending medium. For this purpose any bland fixed oil can beemployed including synthetic mono- or diglycerides. In addition, fattyacids such as oleic acid are used in the preparation of injectables.

The injectable formulation can be sterilized, for example, by filtrationthrough a bacteria-retaining filter, or by incorporating sterilizingagents in the form of sterile solid compositions, which can be dissolvedor dispersed in sterile water or other sterile injectable medium justprior to use.

In order to prolong the effect of a drug, it is often desirable to slowthe absorption of a drug from subcutaneous or intramuscular injection.The most common way to accomplish this is to inject a suspension ofcrystalline or amorphous material with poor water solubility. The rateof absorption of the drug becomes dependent on the rate of dissolutionof the drug, which is, in turn, dependent on the physical state of thedrug, for example, the crystal size and the crystalline form. Anotherapproach to delaying absorption of a drug is to administer the drug as asolution or suspension in oil. Injectable depot forms can also be madeby forming microcapsule matrices of drugs and biodegradable polymers,such as polylactide-polyglycoside. Depending on the ratio of drug topolymer and the composition of the polymer, the rate of drug release canbe controlled. Examples of other biodegradable polymers includepolyorthoesters and polyanhydrides. The depot injectables can also bemade by entrapping the drug in liposomes or microemulsions, which arecompatible with body tissues.

Suppositories for rectal administration of the drug can be prepared bymixing the drug with a suitable non-irritating excipient, such as cocoabutter and polyethylene glycol which are solid at ordinary temperaturebut liquid at the rectal temperature and will, therefore, melt in therectum and release the drug.

Solid dosage forms for oral administration may include capsules,tablets, pills, powders, gelcaps and granules. In such solid dosageforms the active compound may be admixed with at least one inert diluentsuch as sucrose, lactose or starch. Such dosage forms may also comprise,as is normal practice, additional substances other than inert diluents,e.g., tableting lubricants and other tableting aids such as magnesiumstearate and microcrystalline cellulose. In the case of capsules,tablets and pills, the dosage forms may also comprise buffering agents.Tablets and pills can additionally be prepared with enteric coatings andother release-controlling coatings.

Solid compositions of a similar type may also be employed as fillers insoft and hard-filled gelatin capsules using such excipients as lactoseor milk sugar as well as high molecular weight polyethylene glycols andthe like.

The active compounds can also be in micro-encapsulated form with one ormore excipients as noted above. The solid dosage forms of tablets,capsules, pills, and granules can be prepared with coatings and shellssuch as enteric coatings and other coatings well known in thepharmaceutical formulating art. They may optionally contain opacifyingagents and can also be of a composition that they release the activeingredient(s) only, or preferably, in a certain part of the intestinaltract, optionally in a delayed manner. Examples of embeddingcompositions which can be used include polymeric substances and waxes.

Dosage forms for topical or transdermal administration of a compound ofthis invention further include ointments, pastes, creams, lotions, gels,powders, solutions, sprays, inhalants or patches. Transdermal patcheshave the added advantage of providing controlled delivery of activecompound to the body. Such dosage forms can be made by dissolving ordispersing the compound in the proper medium. Absorption enhancers canalso be used to increase the flux of the compound across the skin. Therate can be controlled by either providing a rate controlling membraneor by dispersing the compound in a polymer matrix or gel. The ointments,pastes, creams and gels may contain, in addition to an active compoundof this invention, excipients such as animal and vegetable fats, oils,waxes, paraffins, starch, tragacanth, cellulose derivatives,polyethylene glycols, silicones, bentonites, silicic acid, talc and zincoxide, or mixtures thereof.

The method of the present invention employs the compounds identifiedherein for both in vitro and in vivo applications. For in vivoapplications, the invention compounds can be incorporated into apharmaceutically acceptable formulation for administration. Those ofskill in the art can readily determine suitable dosage levels when theinvention compounds are so used.

As employed herein, the phrase “suitable dosage levels” refers to levelsof compound sufficient to provide circulating concentrations high enoughto effectively block the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel and prevent or reduceneural cell swelling in vivo.

In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention,compositions comprising at least one SUR1 antagonist compound (asdescribed above), and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier arecontemplated.

Exemplary pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include carriers suitablefor oral, intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intracutaneous, andthe like administration. Administration in the form of creams, lotions,tablets, dispersible powders, granules, syrups, elixirs, sterile aqueousor non-aqueous solutions, suspensions or emulsions, and the like, iscontemplated.

For the preparation of oral liquids, suitable carriers includeemulsions, solutions, suspensions, syrups, and the like, optionallycontaining additives such as wetting agents, emulsifying and suspendingagents, sweetening, flavoring and perfuming agents, and the like.

For the preparation of fluids for parenteral administration, suitablecarriers include sterile aqueous or non-aqueous solutions, suspensions,or emulsions. Examples of non-aqueous solvents or vehicles are propyleneglycol, polyethylene glycol, vegetable oils, such as olive oil and cornoil, gelatin, and injectable organic esters such as ethyl oleate. Suchdosage forms may also contain adjuvants such as preserving, wetting,emulsifying, and dispersing agents. They may be sterilized, for example,by filtration through a bacteria-retaining filter, by incorporatingsterilizing agents into the compositions, by irradiating thecompositions, or by heating the compositions. They can also bemanufactured in the form of sterile water, or some other sterileinjectable medium immediately before use. The active compound is admixedunder sterile conditions with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier andany needed preservatives or buffers as may be required.

The foregoing disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention has been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations andmodifications of the embodiments described herein will be apparent toone of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. Thescope of the invention is to be defined only by the claims appendedhereto, and by their equivalents.

Further, in describing representative embodiments of the presentinvention, the specification may have presented the method and/orprocess of the present invention as a particular sequence of steps.However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on theparticular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process shouldnot be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one ofordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps maybe possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth inthe specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims.In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process of thepresent invention should not be limited to the performance of theirsteps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readilyappreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within thespirit and scope of the present invention. Further, in describingrepresentative embodiments of the present invention, the specificationmay have presented the method and/or process of the present invention asa particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the methodor process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forthherein, the method or process should not be limited to the particularsequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art wouldappreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, theparticular order of the steps set forth in the specification should notbe construed as limitations on the claims. In addition, the claimsdirected to the method and/or process of the present invention shouldnot be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written,and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences maybe varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

All references cited herein are incorporated by reference in theirentirety herein. Full citations for the references cited herein areprovided in the following list.

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1. A composition comprising a membrane preparation expressing theNCCa-ATP channel.
 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein said membranepreparation is derived from neural cells.
 3. The composition of claim 1,wherein said membrane preparation is derived from isolated nativereactive astrocytes (NRAs).
 4. The composition of claim 1, wherein saidchannel is blocked by antagonists of the type 1 sulfonylurea receptorand opened by SUR1 activators.
 5. The composition of claim 3, whereinsaid astrocytes are freshly isolated native reactive astrocytes.
 6. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein said channel has the followingcharacteristics: (a) it is a 35 pS type channel; (b) it is stimulated bycytoplasmic Ca²⁺ in the concentration range from about 10⁻⁸ to about10⁻⁵ M; (c) it opens when cytoplasmic ATP is less than about 0.8 uM; and(d) it is permeable to the monovalent cations K⁺, Cs⁺, Li⁺ and Na⁺.
 7. Amethod of screening for antagonists of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel,comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with a composition comprisingthe NC_(Ca-ATP) channel; and (b) identifying test compounds that inhibitan activity of said channel by measuring said activity in the presenceand absence of said test compound, wherein a test compound that inhibitssaid activity is identified as an antagonist of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel.8. The method of claim 7, wherein said composition comprises apreparation of neural cells expressing the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel.
 9. Themethod of claim 7, wherein said composition comprises a membranepreparation expressing the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel.
 10. The method of claim7, wherein said membrane preparation is derived from isolated nativereactive astrocytes (NRAs).
 11. The method of claim 7, wherein saidantagonist of the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel is selected from the groupconsisting of: (a) an NC_(Ca-ATP) channel inhibitor, an NC_(Ca-ATP)channel blocker, a SUR1 antagoinist, SUR1 inhibitor, and/or a compoundcapable of reducing the magnitude of membrane current through thechannel.
 12. A method for identifying compounds that inhibit neural cellswelling, comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with a compositioncomprising the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, and (b) determining whether the testcompound blocks the NCCa-Ap channel, wherein a test compound that blocksthe NC_(Ca-ATP) channel is identified as a compound for inhibitingneural cell swelling.
 13. A method for identifying compounds thatinhibit brain swelling, comprising: (a) contacting a test compound witha composition comprising the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, and (b) determiningwhether the test compound blocks the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, wherein a testcompound that blocks the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel is identified as a compoundfor inhibiting brain swelling.
 14. A method for identifying compoundsthat inhibit brain swelling, comprising: (a) contacting a test compoundwith a composition comprising the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, and (b)determining whether the test compound inhibits neural cell swelling,wherein a test compound that inhibits neural cell swelling is identifiedas a compound for inhibiting brain swelling.
 15. A method foridentifying compounds that inhibit neural cell swelling in an animal,comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with a composition comprisingthe NC_(Ca-ATP) channel and determining whether the test compound blocksthe channel, and (b) administering the test compound to an animal havinga brain injury or cerebral ischemia, and determining whether the testcompound inhibits brain swelling of the treated animal, wherein testcompounds that inhibit brain swelling are identified as compounds thatinhibit neural cell swelling in an animal.
 16. A method for identifyingcompounds that inhibit brain swelling, comprising: (a) contacting a testcompound with a composition comprising the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, anddetermining whether the test compound blocks the channel, and (b)administering the test compound to an animal having a brain injury orcerebral ischemia, and determining whether the test compound inhibitsbrain swelling of the treated animal, wherein test compounds that blockthe NC_(Ca-ATP) channel are identified as compounds that inhibit brainswelling.
 17. The method according to any one of claims 12, 13, 14, 15and 16, wherein said composition comprises a preparation of neural cellsexpressing the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel.
 18. The method according to any oneof claims 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16, wherein said composition comprises amembrane preparation expressing the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel.
 19. The methodaccording to any one of claims 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16, wherein saidcomposition comprises a membrane preparation expressing the NC_(Ca-ATP)channel and further wherein said membrane preparation is derived fromisolated native reactive astrocytes (NRAs).
 20. The method according toany one of claims 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16, wherein said compound is anantagonist of a type 1 sulfonylurea receptor.
 21. The method accordingto any one of claims 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16, wherein said compound is anantagonist of a type 1 sulfonylurea receptor, and further wherein saidantagonist is a sulfonylurea compound.
 22. The method according to anyone of claims 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16, wherein said determining step isselected from the group consisting of: (a) measuring channel currents;(b) measuring membrane potential; (c) detecting expression of annexin V;(d) detecting expression of propidium iodide; (e) in vitro bindingassays; (f) identifying appearance of cell blebbing and/or cellswelling; and (g) combinations thereof.
 23. The method according to anyone of claims 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16, wherein said composition comprisesa preparation of neural cells expressing the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel, andfurther wherein said cell is a native reactive astrocyte.
 24. A methodof preventing neural cell swelling in the brain of a subject, saidmethod comprising administering to the subject a formulation containingan effective amount of a compound that blocks the NC_(Ca-ATP) channeland a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 25. A method of alleviatingthe negative effects of traumatic brain injury or cerebral ischemiastemming from neural cell swelling in a subject, comprisingadministering to the subject a formulation comprising an effectiveamount of a compound that blocks the NC_(Ca-ATP) channel and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 26. The method according to any oneof claims 24 and 25, wherein said administration is delivery into thebrain.
 27. The method according to any one of claims 24 and 25, whereinsaid compound is an antagonist of a type 1 sulfonylurea receptor. 28.The method according to any one of claims 24 and 25, wherein saidcompound is an antagonist of a type 1 sulfonylurea receptor, and furtherwherein said antagonist is a sulfonylurea compound.
 29. The methodaccording to any one of claims 24 and 25, wherein said compound is anantagonist of a type 1 sulfonylurea receptor, and further wherein saidantagonist is selected from the group consisting of glibenclamide andtolbutamide.
 30. The method according to any one of claims 24 and 25,wherein said compound is an antagonist of a type 1 sulfonylureareceptor, and further wherein said antagonist is selected from the groupconsisting of repaglinide, nateglinide, meglitinide, midaglizole,LY397364, LY389382, gliclazide, glimepiride, MgADP, and combinationsthereof.
 31. The method according to any one of claims 24 and 25,wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable carrier renders saidformulation suitable for administration, said administration selectedfrom the group consisting of intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular,intracutaneous, intragastric and oral administration.
 32. A formulationfor preventing or inhibiting neural cell swelling in the brain of asubject, wherein said formulation comprises a compound that blocks theNC_(Ca-ATP) channel and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, whereinthe quantity of said compound is at least 10 times greater than thequantity of said compound in formulations for treating diabetes.
 33. Amethod for identifying compounds that inhibit neural cell swelling,comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with a composition comprisingthe Kir2.3 channel, (b) determining whether the test compound opens theKir2.3 channel, wherein a test compound that opens the Kir2.3 channel isidentified as a compound for inhibiting neural cell swelling.
 34. Amethod for identifying compounds that inhibit brain swelling,comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with a composition comprisingthe Kir2.3 channel, and (b) determining whether the test compound opensthe Kir2.3 channel, wherein a test compound that opens the Kir2.3channel is identified as a compound for inhibiting brain swelling.
 35. Amethod for identifying compounds that inhibit neural cell swellingand/or brain swelling in an animal, comprising: (a) contacting a testcompound with a composition comprising the Kir2.3 channel, and (b)determining whether the test compound opens the Kir2.3 channel, whereina test compound that opens the Kir2.3 channel is identified as acompound for inhibiting neural cell swelling and/or brain swelling in ananimal.
 36. A method for identifying compounds that prevent, inhibitand/or alleviate brain swelling in a subject, comprising: (a) contactinga test compound with a composition comprising the Kir2.3 channel, anddetermining whether the test compound opens the Kir2.3 channel, and (b)administering the test compound to a subject having a brain injury orcerebral ischemia, and determining whether the test compound prevents,inhibits and/or alleviates brain swelling in the subject, wherein testcompounds that open the Kir2.3 channel are identified as compounds thatinhibit brain swelling.
 37. A method for identifying compounds thatinhibit neural cell swelling in an animal, comprising: (a) contacting atest compound with a composition comprising the Kir2.3 channel, anddetermining whether the test compound opens the Kir2.3 channel, and (b)administering the test compound to an animal having a brain injury orcerebral ischemia, and determining whether the test compound inhibitsbrain swelling of the treated animal, wherein test compounds thatinhibit brain swelling are identified as compounds that inhibit neuralcell swelling in an animal.
 38. A method of preventing neural cellswelling in the brain of a subject, said method comprising administeringto the subject a formulation containing an effective amount of acompound that opens the Kir2.3 channel and a pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier.
 39. A method of alleviating the negative effects of traumaticbrain injury or cerebral ischemia stemming from neural cell swelling ina subject, comprising administering to the subject a formulationcomprising an effective amount of a compound that opens the Kir2.3channel and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 40. The methodaccording to any one of claims 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39, whereinsaid compound is Tenidap.
 41. The method according to any one of claims33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39, wherein said determining step is selectedfrom the group consisting of: (a) measuring channel currents; (b)measuring membrane potential; (c) detecting expression of annexin V; (d)detecting expression of propidium iodide; (e) in vitro binding assays;(f) identifying appearance of cell blebbing and/or cell swelling; and(g) combinations thereof.
 42. A composition comprising freshly isolatednative reactive astrocytes, wherein said astrocytes express theNC_(Ca-ATP) channel.
 43. The composition of claim 42, wherein at leastabout 80% to about 100% of said astrocytes express the NC_(Ca-ATP)channel.